Life!

My last week was wonderful.  I am involved in the handbell ensemble at Bethel and this last weekend we played for Bethel's annual Festival of Christmas.  It was a wonderful experience.  Quite busy preparing for it, but taking part in the performance was awesome.  My top three favorite parts of the concert were the entrance, our handbell solo, and the audience participation song "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus".  It was amazing to hear that song being sung by a full auditorium of people with an orchestra accompanying it.  Truth was being proclaimed whether every person recognized it or not. As I stood onstage during this I was consumed by being in awe of my Creator and my Savior.  Hallelujah, my God reigns forever!  And He loves me!  How awesome!  

Here are the lyrics to that song if you too wish to drink in the truth and reflect on it...Praise Jesus!

Come, though long expected Jesus, 

born to set they people free; 

from our fears and sins release us, 

let us find out rest in thee.  

Israel's strength and consolation, 

hope of all the earth though art; 

dear desire of every nation, 

joy of every longing heart.  

Born they people to deliver, 

born a child and yet a King, 

born to reign in us forever, 

now thy gracious kingdom bring.  

By thine own eternal spirit 

rule in all our hearts alone; 

by thine all sufficient merit , 

raise us to thy glorious throne.   

Something else that has been on my mind lately is how God is good and how He knows best.  It says in Job 1:21 "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart.  The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised."  This verse just reminds me of God's goodness and faithfulness.  This last Sunday marked the anniversary of myGrandpa Butch's death.  It still hurts to know that he is no longer here on Earth, but I find peace knowing that God loves me and He loved my grandpa, but more than that, God has conquered death and life everlasting is available to those who surrender to Him.  Jesus commands my destiny and that of everyone else.  Nothing is a surprise to Him.  He has a plan in all things and His plan is perfect.  Knowing this helps me to celebrate the life my grandpa had and the blessing it was and still is to be his granddaughter.  So on Sunday I was sad, but I was also able to celebrate life!  

My sisters, Grandpa Butch and me ♥

Further this week was cause for more celebration as Michael's niece was born!  Freya Jane is a beautiful and precious little girl.  We got to meet her on Thursday and oh how exciting!  I haven't experienced a birth so closely since my siblings were born, but I can't remember a ton about that, new life is truly exciting and amazing stuff.  

Michael and me meeting his new niece!

And to think about how amazing the new life of a baby is, it naturally leads me to consider how incredible and wonderful it is to be reborn in Christ!  Praise Jesus for new life!  

Life is a blessing.  Life is sweet.  Life is fast.  Life is fragile.  When I reflect on how fragile my grandpa was before he passed on and how fragile little Freya is now I am amazed and in awe of thing we call life that is but an instant in comparison to eternity.  

I encourage you to live your life with with purpose.  Love God first and others second.  Life is far too short to live it all for yourself when there is so much truth to be experienced and shared.