"The longer I live the more beautiful life becomes." ~ Frank Lloyd Wright
When I was in my twenties and thirties, I rarely thought about the end of life. I didn't ever think about what my life would be like if my spouse passed from this world before me. Now, nearing retirement age, these thoughts do surface more than I would like to admit. As time continues to fly by, I sometimes find myself realizing that the decades of great health and carefree thinking may have passed and no longer exist. It's a new reality.
These new decades of living bring about a new love for life. I have come to appreciate the beauty in most everything from waking up to the smell and taste of the creamer flavor in my coffee to the amazing blessing of all the people my life intersects with each day. Learning to appreciate the many grace-filled moments that each day brings, has brought a new beauty to living life. Letting go of the worry about the little things that don't go right and celebrating the beauty of life changes the heart and mind. It seems the more gratitude and understanding the heart holds, the more beautiful life becomes.
Yes, there are days I feel annoyed with my own response or other's reactions, but at the end of the day, I have learned to hand it over to God and start fresh the next day. By turning it over, I let go of anger, resentment, and regrets. God changes these feelings overnight and somehow I can see differently from a new perspective about what evolved. I believe He is always at work molding me into a more caring person. Yesterday, I may have only seen the situation from my humanness, but God is helping me learn to see through His eyes.
Sometimes, we do have to let go of toxic people and situations in our lives. I believe that if you prayerfully ask God for guidance, he will guide you away from those people or things that aim to destroy His influence on your heart and mind. Leading a life filled with contentment and joy is about trusting God in all circumstances, even the tough ones.
So, now when I think about the end of life, I find inner peace. I don't know exactly what awaits in Heaven, but I do know that God has prepared a place for us to dwell with Him. In a recent conversation with my husband, we talked about our thoughts on Heaven. He told me that one thing he has no doubt about is that we will find complete peace. This brings trust and calm to my soul knowing that peace awaits. We both are assured that God will carry us through.
When Paul wrote the letter to the people of Philippi about their future lives with Christ, he included these messages written from Philippians: 3:13-15 "No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you."
So keep looking forward and appreciating the beauty in each day. Let's allow God to help us work through the disagreements and obstacles in our lives. He can help us see life from a new perspective. This new outlook that He will provide, is a life of gratitude and understanding that a beautiful life is all about depending on Him for the peace and joy we all strive to find in this earthly and promised eternal life through Christ.
Let us pray:
Heavenly Father,
Open our hearts and minds to see the blessings of life. Guide us through this life so we, too, can be your instruments that promote gratitude and understanding among all people. May we be blessed with the peace of knowing you are with us.
Amen
