More Abundant Life
Day 46 of Photo Inspirations — “More Abundant Life”
What could be more therapeutic for a widow — whose husband is in heaven and her kids are in Washington and Texas — than celebrating Valentine’s with really fun kids — spreading the love around!?
My godson and his three siblings, all have birthdays during the month of February — so yesterday — Valentine’s Day — I threw a birthday/Valentine’s party for them at my clubhouse. After pizza and ice cream cake, we partied! I loved having this time with them — seeing them having so much fun playing pickleball, golfing on the putting green, playing shuffleboard, running on the treadmill…..and even wading in the freezing cold pool. They brought such joy to me on this “V” day when I could have been in the mulligrubs and playing the “wallering in self pity” games. I could have been singing “All by myself….don’t wanna’ be all by myself….anymore!”
I’ve learned the best medicine for the doldrums….is to dole out cheer, turn inward thoughts to outward joy, turn garments of heaviness to garments of praise and thanksgiving! God has given me so many resources for spending my days in power rather than self-pity. And, the best gift we can give back to God is appreciating the abundant life He has given us. John 10:10 “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” “More abundantly” means to have a superabundance of something. “Abundant life” refers to life in its abounding fullness of joy and strength for mind, body, and soul. “Abundant life” is a complete opposite of lack, emptiness, and dissatisfaction.
The next time it seems the best thing to do for dealing with sadness, misery, discomfort, loneliness, and pity…..is to pull the covers up over your head and just hang out there….totally reject those thoughts and put on your loud-colored royal jester’s hat, and throw a party — be the entertainment! Celebrate the abundant life God has given you — that’s what I did yesterday — and it was a glorious day of love, life and laughter!