The Vital Spark

     In a book I read there was a retired school teacher that had lived longer than her friends and relatives. She explained to a young woman that had befriended her that she had lived as long as she had because she was "always curious to see what was going to happen next".
     Lately I have felt "stopped at a red light in life" and I keep thinking of that woman's attitude. How do you maintain a curiosity about life when things don't change? How do you continue to have a zest when it is the same day in and day out?
     My mother has been in assisted living facilities for a very long time now. During her time in these establishments I have met a lot of elderly people. Some have the spark of life and some do not...what makes the difference?
     Is it the curiosity that was spoken of? I don't really have an answer for these questions, I guess I'm looking for it myself. I know I feel like Paul did when he said that to die is gain in Philippians 1:21. But the other side is to live is Christ!
     Sometimes we have to stir our spirits to find the excitement of life. Sometimes our spirit needs a boost.~~~~

~~~~I've been considering this for awhile, I've talked to people and talked to God about it. I asked Lane to pray over me and when he asked what I wanted to have prayed I asked him to pray for me to have the spark of life and for it to never leave.
     Lane has told me that I am the most optimistic person that he's ever met, but sometimes even optimistic people need to get stirred up.
     Yesterday God impressed on me (after Lane had prayed for me) that the spark of life for me is in creating. I make jewelry, I crochet, embroidery, I bake, I write blogs, I enjoy photography, I grow a garden... all of these are in the creating realm and that is where the spark of life is for me!
     I do believe that each person is responsible to find their own spark, and now that I understand it more I can tell you that it's what makes you feel alive! When I walk into a bead store, my happy factor rises like crazy! Or when I see something beautiful to take a picture of I can't get my camera ready fast enough!
     Find what makes you feel alive, it may be spending time with other people, it may be hearing beautiful music, it may be in creating art...there are many, many sparks that God has put in our world and to enjoy the sparks that He has given us is to bring Him glory!
     I know it's a weird concept, we think we have to be praying, reading scripture or something "church like" to glorify God, but that's not true. He made us, He created us as individuals and if we enjoy His creation we are bringing Him pleasure and honor! Not to say that we let our passion overtake all that we are, everything in moderation!
      How often do you see a cook watching people enjoy the meal they have prepared, or how often do you see an artist watching people respond to their art? Everyone wants their creation to be enjoyed and God wants us to enjoy what He has created and He has created you and whatever it is that you're passionate about.
     When you find your passion and follow it, the spark of life will always stay alive in you.

Are you able? Are you willing?

     I had a dream last night about a person in my life. In my dream they died and I was distraught. I grieved for this person terribly. This dream helped me understand something that I was dealing with in my life. I have a person that has "disassociated" themselves from me for their own reasons, which would be a whole different blog subject.
     In my waking world I have been struggling with emotions that I didn't understand and this dream is actually a gift from God to me. Because of the dream I can understand the depressive thoughts that have filled my days, and now, I will be able to control the emotions or at least understand them and order the rest of my life to have a form that can operate around the sadness!
     We are such complex beings that we are not even able to fully understand ourselves. We are made in God's image, except God is way more complex than we are. We believe we understand ourselves so we should be able to understand God also....we are deluding ourselves. We don't even really understand ourselves, much less God!
     I didn't understand myself enough to know why I was so sad until I had a dream to show me. How can we understand God until we live with Him long enough for Him to reveal Himself? Are you able to sojourn with Him? Are you willing?

Repentance

Just thinking~
     How many of us don't do what God has given us to do because it seems too small? Or if we don't see the reward in it? God gave me something to do and it fits in that question, He told me to write something in my blog daily......DAILY! I have not been faithful to that.
     I have a lot of excuses but they don't really matter, what matters is that I have not been faithful to do what I was given to do.
     I regret my lack of obedience...more than regret, I repent! I will write something daily and I will spend time with God seeking His forgiveness for my neglect, for my rebelliousness and lack of obedience!
     What will you do about what He has given you to do?

Repentance ~ literally means to turn, is the activity of reviewing one's actions and feeling contrition or regret for past wrongs. It generally involves a commitment to personal change and the resolve to live a more responsible and humane life.