Life is a question and how we live it is our answer. (Gary Keller)
Our preacher this morning raised the question of what is the best life? He was preaching from the first chapter of Ephesians and talking about how we have the gift of God’s love to give us that best life. But his question sent me off on some rabbit trails. Not while he was preaching. I paid attention then, but later I kept thinking about his questions. What is the best life? Not only for me and my family. I’m thinking about it for my new characters. What is the best life for them and how are they going to chase after that dream of a best life?
Do we in our lives chase after a best life or do we do the best we can and one day wake up and realize we are living a best life? One with family and church and work we can do.
One where an uncle will teach a niece to dance on her birthday.
One where we have time to stop and smell the roses and enjoy the blessings of nature?
One where you can take a walk with a couple of grandsons and be gifted with the sight of a rainbow all across the sky?
Those can be the good times in life and as I dream up new characters for my work in progress, I definitely want them to have good times. But a story needs conflict. So, my poor characters will have to go through some unsettled times. Some challenges. Perhaps some trying times. Things won’t always be dancing and rainbows and roses.
A country music song was popular several years ago that said “I Never Promised You a Rose Garden.” I guess that’s how it is with those characters I getting ready to write about. I can’t promise them nothing but roses and blue skies. Everything won’t be sweet and good. That’s true in life, real or fictional. But perhaps that is the best life for us all. A life of challenge. A life where we can overcome. A life where we can trust in the Lord’s providence and love. Even when things aren’t easy.
Your best life will not be found in comfort. It will be found in fighting for what you believe in. (Maxime Lagacé – Wisdom Quotes)
My characters will have to fight for something. Have goals to move toward. Perhaps search for love. At this stage in my story, anything can happen. But that’s the key. Something does have to happen to move them toward a best life.
What do you think makes up a best life?
Comments 4
Showing love, kindness & compassion to others. Make something special & donate it to others in need. Scarves for the homeless, warm baby blankets for single mothers. I hope they feel what I feel in my heart by doing something unexpected for the organizations & individuals.
Author
Definitely good things for someone living a best life, Betty. May your gifts be a blessing to those who receive them far beyond what you can imagine.
This email was absolutely your best ever. I have reread your thoughts several times this morning and they have warmed my soul. It was about 15 years ago that I realized I had everything I needed or really wanted. I was rich with God’s love, my family, home, health, and friends. Everyday is a blessing with the little things and big things that God has put in my life.
Author
Thank you, Jean Ann. I’m glad my post was one that resonated with you. I too have so many blessings in my life. It’s good to remember those little things along with the big things that make for a best life. I appreciate your comment here.