The Nuances of Every Day Life
When summer started, life was chock full of trips, gatherings, and time with family, friends, and my community. It was full but I enjoyed every second I had with the people I loved. The second half of the summer has proved less busy with days at a time with no agenda. This has been lovely because I’ve gotten to fill my time with things I love doing and just soaking in life. The other day, I fell into an empty evening and decided to listen to the Whoa That’s Good podcast by Sadie Robertson. Sadie’s mom, Korie, had Erin Napier, one of the stars of the HGTV show, “Hometown”, as her guest. The title of the podcast was, “God’s Plan For You Doesn’t End if You Take a Wrong Turn” and I always love hearing stories that remind me that my life is bigger than me.
So Erin goes in telling a little of her background, and as it usually happens, the show Hometown was not where her and her husband ever expected to be. That was just another God thing he had written for their story. Their heart for their community and roots is what struck me the most. Erin talked about how she had a blog where she only posted the best things that happened to her each day for a full decade! I went to go look it up because the sentiment itself moved me and honestly it made me slow down. It made me look at my life and ask myself, “Are you really focused on the right thing?”.
There was so much beauty packed into how she lived her days. The smallest things gained meaning. It made me yearn for that—to be able to live a life aware of the beauty around me. I thought about what kept me from living in this freedom. Recently, worry and anxiety had been keeping me from being able to deeply breathe in what I had in front of me.
I talked on the phone with a friend this week about it. It feels like there is so much pressure to know, to have it all planned out. I’ve found that the closest moments I’ve had to my Beloved this summer is when I let go of knowing—knowing what the plans are, small or big, knowing how this is going to go, knowing if this is going work or not. When I let go of figuring everything out and just settle in being here with God and not worrying, I feel the most peace. Even as I settled in here, there was this little voice that kept saying “You’re missing something!” surrounded by anxiety. I faced it and stood firm—What if God is enough?
Life’s purpose is to be with him. That is all that I need. So every day is enough because I am with him, and that is all I want to be. I’m going to enjoy it. I don’t worry about the unknown or what’s ahead because in Christ I have found my home.
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Jesus, to be known and know you. The ultimate satisfaction. I pray that we all experience the completion and peace found in you. Help us live each day with the awareness of who we have with us. In Jesus name, Amen
Podcast: God's Plan For You Doesn't End If You Take a Wrong Turn | Korie Robertson & Erin Napier
Blog: Erin’s Journal (A decade of the best things in her life in each day)
