Welcome to my very first blog post – the first of many! This is a place where I will be sharing my stories and adventures throughout this next year. I will do my best to be as authentic and real with you as I can. I want to give you an actual representation of this whole journey: My greatest joys. The things that break my heart. The struggles. The victories. The whole she-bang!
I have been asking God what I should write about, and he has been playing a conversation on repeat in my head. It was right after a visit to the hospital to see a family member, and my mom and I had just sat down for dinner. As we were eating, she asked me a simple question that I will never forget. “What does a good life look like to you?” I want you to reread this question slowly, soaking in every last drop of its worth. WOW. Did you feel that? The blast of old memories. Emotions. The weight of past regrets and mistakes. Unforgettable moments. Dreams. Passions. Yeah, me too. How do you even answer a question like that? Well, not the way I did. I gave the typical worldly answer-it looks like lots of “adventures”(such a broad term), raising a family, being a kind person. I watched those words roll off my tongue in disbelief. Really Paige? That’s IT? Now, I know those are not bad things. We are allowed to ENJOY our lives, but there is so much more to life than being a “kind person”. I just imagined making it to the gates of Heaven. I’m so close I can hear the songs of Angels roaring from inside. I am face-to-face with Jesus and he is holding up what seems to be my “resume” of my life. And all I have to show for it is going on adventures and being a “kind person.” That hit me like a ton of bricks.
This past week I have been racking my brain for what I want my life to look like. And I came to the conclusion that it doesn’t matter what I want. I was reminded of a verse in Deuteronomy 10 that says: “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you? He requires only that you fear the Lord Your God, and live in a way that pleases him, and love him and serve him with all your heart and soul”. It is so undeniably clear in his words. My purpose is to love God, live in a way that is pleasing to him, and serve him. And for all of those other things – adventures, family, happy hearts… those things will follow. So here I am, Lord. You want me to pack up my backpack, abandon all comforts, and tell the World about the one who spoke them into existence? Here I am. When can I go?…..
To everyone who is reading this, I challenge you to think about the way you are living your life. The reality is that not every day is guaranteed, we are merely living day to day. So take a moment, and ask God to USE you to do something spectacular! Look in between the cracks for the people who need to know God. Care when you feel like you’ve got nothin’ left. Sing praises to The One who spoke this world into motion. Get to know him. He is pretty GRAND.
Thank you so so much for taking the time to read my blog. Your support/thoughts/prayers/love means the world to me!
With love,
Paige
