"I Love My Life!"

               When Brandon was in kindergarten, we lived in Broken Bow, OK.  It was a small town where you interacted with many more people than you ever do in a big city.  One day, his teacher told me how Brandon just brightened her day.  She said he had a big smile on his face as he announced, “I LOVE MY LIFE!” 

                How easy it is for someone so young to declare that they love their life.  I mean how hard can it be?  They have everything handed to them.  They spend time with friends.  They play with toys and watch TV. Their hardest decision is which color to use for their picture. 

                Lately I’ve been thinking of Brandon’s excitement and exclamation.  I wondered if I could say, “I love my life” and mean it.  So I started looking at my life and analyzing it (something I’m sure Brandon didn’t do before he made his exclamation). 

First, I have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  Does that mean every day is flowers and butterflies?  No, but I know my life is His and He is looking out for me and loves me with an unconditional love.  Second, I’ve been married for 22 years to an amazing husband.  Kevin has seen the best and the worst in me and still loves me every single day.  He does so much for our family and even does the little things just to make my day.  I have two awesome sons.  I get compliments on both of them all the time.  Brandon is a fine Christian young man that has a heart for God and people.  Ryan is young Christian who loves everyone and makes us laugh every day.  I have a job that I can still say I love doing.  Teaching young people is my calling in life.  Yes, we also have a house and the stuff that goes in it.  And I feel blessed beyond measure with what God has entrusted us.  I have friends that continually help me on this road of life and make me a better person.

                Does all this mean, however, that I never worry or have bad days?  Absolutely not.  Things break down.  Bills come due sooner than we need them to.  Sometimes my husband and I have differing opinions on what should be done and how.  I think all parents have had days that they wish they could trade their kids in for someone else’s.  We have had those bad days.  We will have those bad days again.  

However, is that a reason to hate life and live in the lows?  NO!  Look at the good around you!  Look at the blessings God has given!  Take a deep breath and realize what a life you have.

I know I will endeavor to do a better job at this.  Even on the down days that I know will come, I will do my best to look out and proclaim with joyful abandon, “I LOVE MY LIFE!”