21~Hope

"Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God's work from beginning to end."  ~Ecclesiastes 3:11

I saw  the movie About Time this Friday.  It broke it's own 'time travel rules' a few times, but I really liked the characters and the lesson of this movie.  This was NOT a Hope Floats or P.S. I Love You kind of film, and yet toward the end, for reasons I couldn't possibly have verbalized at the time, I broke down crying harder than I've ever cried in another movie.  I could barely catch my breath in my lovely reclining seat.  Tears were still flowing on my way out of the theater -- I was thankful to be alone for this one -- then I had to compose myself before I started to drive.  I went shopping at Target, and started crying again looking at their Christmas cards and had to leave before I got my shopping done.  This was different from other times I've felt upset.  I got home and tried to write out what I was feeling, but had no luck at all, so I decided I was just "thankful for rest" that night. 

After some more thought, I believe I may have figured it out.  The overarching point of the movie was to be present.  To love and enjoy the people around you and to notice the little things, to look up and make eye contact, to make the most of the little opportunities.  But the undercurrent was something that feels true for all of us here on earth - that no matter how much time you have with the people you love, it is never enough.

Of course, part of my thoughts were grieving the loss of my best friend, the loss of her heart, the way the memories will never be enough.  But part of it was on what I have right now, the little things that I so often take for granted.  I do my best to take pictures and write down quotes and document the little things that make me happy, but even then, it's never enough.  Time marches on, and we need to be present and alive to the great things in front of us today.  Because things change... and friends leave... and life doesn't stop for anybody.  God has planted eternity in our hearts, and I was incredibly aware of that on Friday night.  Death and loss and abandonment and grief are never natural or easy for us because our hearts are created for eternity.

So today, I am THANKFUL for the hope I have in knowing that the kingdom of Christ is truly coming!  That I will spend eternity in heaven with all the people I love most here!!!  That relationships and heart connections will endure forever, with no fear of change or loss.  That comforts me to no end!

I am also thankful that right here on earth where time steadily marches on, "God has made everything beautiful for its own time."  There is so much beauty and love and life surrounding me on any given day, and I want to always be present for that and connect with those who want to connect with me!

So here are some little things I'm thankful for through just this past week:

Bubby Jace having to tiptoe to reach the door handle, opening and closing the door 1,000 times as Mom says hello and goodbye, and just having the time of his life! lol

He's at such a fun age, the age of tricycles and sippy-cups and learning new words every day!  It won't last forever, but it's wonderful right now!

The colors of Fall!

My Dad hiring a landscaper for me, which I learned through an email with before and after pics! lol

A kid in our courtroom drew this picture of my judge to give to him.... so funny.

Listening to Jeff and Jay and baby Eden sing the Baylor fight song the night Baylor beat OU!  Watching football and eating Aspen Diner sandwiches with great friends!

Laura (referring to the bear-claw ending):

"Oh, I didn't know 'jazz hands' would be involved!" :)

Baby Titus Holland being super calm and smiling for photos!

Hanging out with a fun group of girls, and celebrating the fact that some BFFs really last forever.

Writing Christmas cards to young children to go with the gift boxes.

Time hanging out with the women's lifegroup, wrapping gifts, watching Elf, and eating Christmas cookies!

The kindness of Kelly Marie!

God is good.  Life is good.  There is beauty here right now.

Soak it all in and be thankful and be present!

(And remember when it feels like you've lost something irreparable that heaven is coming and eternal love and connection will FINALLY be our reality!)  

...Get excited! =)