LIVE ALL OF YOUR LIFE

"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Luke 6: 37-38 NIV

Hummm, "pressed down, shaken together and running over?" That’s our house!

Yesterday, our daughter and her two tiny girls, ages three and almost two, moved into our basement apartment. I use the word apartment very loosely. The stove is not hooked up; the sink doesn’t have water run to it; and the bathroom . . . not even a blueprint plan yet. But, you do what you need to do when it is necessary to do it if you choose to live all of your life.

My husband and I choose to focus on the blessings. Story time in the late afternoon; giggling sounds floating up from below; the knowledge that the little ones have their basic needs met. Not a lot of room inside but a huge yard to play in.

There have been energetic-negative-fellowship moments, but all settles down in no time. The babes had trouble going to sleep in new surroundings last night but I pointed out all of the kids-music channels on cable our daughter didn’t know about. It will all work out. How? By the grace of God. Our daughter is willing to acknowledge that she is living in our home and not her own and is learning to respect our need for quiet time, writing time, and recharging time. She is giving so we are giving to her. We are giving so the Lord is giving to us. It’s a win-win situation when you live all of your life.

However, we will have to rethink Thanksgiving as our large open basement no longer looks large, nor open, not vacant nor available. But, it is full of love.

The secret to long life - living every moment of it - to growing up and not just growing old - adapting. What are you willing to adjust to? Let us pray:

"Holy Father of us all, your name is above all names and deserves to be spoken only in reverence. May your kingdom of Love fill our home from top to bottom, that we may learn of you and that we may teach about you by what we do and say. For this day, give us patience and love in good measure, as your Word promises. May I have the calmness of heart and mind to give as much love as I receive from you. You are amazing and full of all the love there is in the world, both now and in the future. Forgive me when I forget to call on your name when things get rocky. Your love has pulled many ships from the rocky shore. May I always remember that your plan is that I live all of my life, in every circumstance of my life. In the name of and by the power of your son, our savior, Jesus, I pray. Amen"

Doris
"God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine."
Copyright 2013 Doris Gaines Rapp
http://www.dorisgainesrapp.com

Promote Yourself - a pep talk on self-promotion. To download the eBook go to www.bn.com and www.amazon.com. Also, join the conversation at www.promoteyourself-permitsuccess.blogspot.com
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