How would you say one could live an epic life? I guess it depends on how you interpret ‘epic’. Excluding the poetic genre, epic generally means something grand, heroic, impressive, or remarkable. But then it’s up to each person to figure out what those words mean to them. When I think heroic I think of the men and women who have died for our country while sacrificing themselves in order to save others. But…I also think of my mom taking care of my dad all throughout their marriage until his death (1989-2008) while juggling three girls, several animals, and a 4300 square foot house. When I think impressive I think of the great pyramids or someone who climbed Mount Everest….but I also think of single mothers or the language acquisition process. When I think remarkable I think of advancement in medicine…but I also think of medically-unexplainable miracles.
But do we actually need to have these experiences in our lives to have lived an epic life? I don’t think so. I think an epic life is what you make of it. An epic life to me would be a life spent reveling in the joy that comes through living out the calling that Papa lays upon my heart. It is also suggested that an epic life is derivative of thankfulness, because thankfulness leads to joy…which actually makes a lot of sense!
But thankfulness must be given at all times. Not just when things are going great.
“Thankfulness wields power, especially in the harsh, wavering times. In an evocative example we see Jesus, who just hours before his crucifixion, gathered with his disciples, broke bread and gave thanks. In the most humbling way imaginable, he saw the bigger picture and thanked the Father.”
That is remarkable to me. Impressive. Heroic. Epic.
Jesus had a thankful heart, and that is what we should always strive for. A thankful heart is always thankful, always looking for something to thank and praise Papa for. I try to do this, but sometimes it’s difficult when life gets tough. I’ve just found that thankfulness takes practice. It takes effort. It’s so easy when things are going great, but it takes more effort when things aren’t. But once we are able to be thankful in all situations, we will experience the pure unrelenting joy that comes from being in the presence of God through worship.
“Joy is not about mountain peak experiences but more about a thankful heart, opened up and ready to receive whatever might come because it knows that the Lord is good.”
So let’s take today to give thanks. Make thanksgiving a part of your daily life. There is ALWAYS something to be thankful there, even if it takes a little time to see it.
I am thankful for:
My mother. She is an amazing woman and has always supported me in all of my endeavors.
My supporters. Friends and family and everything. Y’all are AMAZING.
My church family. I don’t know how I’d do this without you.
My squad. I am so delighted and so blessed by these girls (and Andrew!) that I get to share in this excitement with them! I am SO excited to do life with you guys next year.
My health. I am so blessed to be in sound health to be able to do this adventure.
Being born American. Although I do want to ex-patriate, I am so thankful and so blessed to be born in this country that allows me to follow my calling without hindrance.
Where is it Hardest to Find Joy?
In my frustration. In my impatience. I am self-sufficient and independent by nature so fundraising makes me very uncomfortable. I have to learn to swallow my pride and be thankful I have found reason to fundraise. I’m thankful that I know so many people who are completely receptive to what I’m doing! I am thankful that God has a will for me and is my provider and that I just have to do life without worry and he will grant His provision for His purpose! It isn’t terribly difficult for me to find joy anymore, or to give thanks. Even in terrible circumstances. When my father passed away, yes, I was sad and I mourned but I was equally thankful because he was finally out of pain and resting in the Lord’s presence. I was thankful because for the first time ever I actually saw my mother bloom into the person she truly was once she was no longer consumed with being a caretaker. In such a dark time I found something to be thankful for because God is always good. His will is always good. Even in the case where my daddy had passed away, it was a time of joy because he finally got to meet his maker. I cannot even imagine how amazing that time will be.
Come, let us worship in song, a joyful offering to the Eternal.
Shout! Shout with joy to the rock of our liberation.
Come face-to-face with God, and give thanks;
with loud and joyful voices, praise Him in songs.
For the Eternal is a great God, and a great King, supreme over all gods.
Within His control are the very depths of the earth;
the mountaintops too — they all belong to Him.
The sea belongs to Him, for He created it — scooped and filled it —
with His hands He made the dry land — every valley and mountain.
Come, let us worship Him. Everyone bow down;
kneel before the Eternal who made us.
(Psalm 95:1-6 The Voice)
I just wanted to take a moment to thank the Thorntons and the Leavitts for their gifts! I am currently 2% funded so we have quite a ways to go. I also want to thank my awesome prayer team!
I am currently selling t-shirts to fundraise. They are $25 each and I have to sell 20 minimum. So far I’ve sold four (one of those I bought myself) and it would be awesome if you’d take a moment to check them out (Click Here) and prayerfully consider supporting me by purchasing one. Thank you everyone who have purchased one so far! I deeply appreciate it!
If you don’t want to buy a t-shirt, but you’d still like to help, you can gift monthly through DynaPay (Click here to gift monthly) by filling out the form and being sure to put Savannah Rucker as the person who the gift goes to. If you cannot partner with me monthly please consider partnering with me through a one-time gift by clicking the Support Me! link above.
You can also send a one-time-gift as a check by writing the check out to Adventures in Missions and sending it to:
Adventures in Missions
P.O. Box 742570
Atlanta, GA 30374-2570
Make sure you include a note that specifies that the check goes to Savannah Rucker.
Any amount helps. If 100 people partner with me at a monthly gift of $25 for 7 months (or 100 partners at one-time-gifts of $175) I will be fully funded and meet all of my deadlines. If you cannot partner with me financially at this time, please partner with me through prayer. All of it is appreciated, no matter the type or amount! Thank you so much for reading! Please subscribe to my blog using the left sidebar so that I may keep you updated on the ways God is moving in my life and the lives of those around me!
All donations to Adventures in Missions are tax deductible as AIM is a 501c(3) non-profit organization.
