Life is Full

My friend Binny said recently that she is amazed at how many people are constantly begrudging their busyness. Exclamations of exasperation ring out, “I’m so busy! Things are just crazy right now.” Binny asserts it can become a game of who can out-busy who. Anecdotally, she proposed we alter our semantics and in so doing change our perspective. Binny suggested we say, and believe, “Life is FULL.”

In an excerpt from a blog by Dennis Moseley- Williams, see it here being busy is dissected, its guise as the hallmark of productiveness is stripped away.

“Many base their lives on how busy they are. They wear this ”busy” as a badge of honor. I know I did for way too many years. I was proud to tell people how busy I was. Like a right of passage.  Yet, a “too busy” person is basing life on fear. Busy seems to assume you are working hard, that you are responsible and valuable. But, sometimes “too busy” means I am afraid to say “no”. I’ve been trying to please everybody. I fear for my job, fear not being liked and even fear not being busy. It takes courage to say NO”

Instead of focusing on the productiveness of being busy, the promotion of self and the  prideful feelings that come from accomplishing so much in and through our busyness, proclaiming that “life is full” instead turns attention to the fact that we have been given much. Life is full directs us to optimism and to gratitude. Life is full might bring to mind John 10:10- wherein Jesus proclaims his intention to come and bring life that is lived in all its fullness- life that is alive, enough, and connected to God and others, in health and wholeness.

Yesterday at the gym, someone asked me, “How are you?”, I said “Good”, but she couldn’t hear me over the din of dropping weights and the whirl of fans. She asked to clarify, “Good? Are you good?”. For a casual friend, her persistence to hear how I was doing was notable. “Yes! Good!” I said. Then I spent the next 6 pushups really thinking about my answer… “Am I good right now?” I came to the realization, platitudes aside, that YES, I am good! Right now, Life is Full!

A few glimpses of the fullness:

1. Oakley.

He is pure joy and precious. 8 months old and all smiles. He laughs, he yearns to make eye contact and share smiles, even with strangers. He is a perfect holding, carrying, and cuddling size and loves to nestle into your neck or chest for a “hug”. He grabs at people’s faces and comes in close. He rolls, pushes up, plays by himself,  babbles sweetly and screeches and grunts persistently. Oaks recognizes people he knows and loves and offers to them the gift of a bouncy, arm-waving, big smile greeting.

2. Quinton and Erica Osborne. The summer wedding season continued as we traveled to Glen Ellyn, IL for Quinton and Erica’s wedding June 8th. I was blessed to officiate a thoughtful and meaningful ceremony they crafted. The vows were profound, their declarations the most exuberant of any bride and groom I’ve ever served, and their love ever apparent. Our family participated fully and made wonderful memories

throughout the wedding weekend events. It was beautiful, fun, and a very appropriate celebration for

these two wonderful people!

3. Swimming! The pools are open and the excitement, joy, and swim skills are back in full swing for Eli and Andi. Oaks has been dunked twice without tears so it appears he’s settling into the swimming family agenda with ease.

4. Castaway is 10 days away!!! The prep is keeping me very “full” as I’m writing a devo and thinking about packing us all up for 3 weeks. I’m learning names and faces of the 40 college summer staff and can’t wait to get to meet them in person. The privilege of getting to go and serve there is ever precious.

5. June celebrations! My sister Laura turned 28 on June 14th,  we celebrated doubly for Father’s Day and Gayle’s bday on June 16th, my Grammy turned 83 yesterday and my brother Scot and sister in law MK have birthdays tomorrow! Celebrating the patience, playfulness, consistent care, wonderful storytelling, generous provision, and very present presence in Drew’s dad-ness was a joy this weekend as well. 

6. Maama came from Colorado to visit. It’s always a gift when we get to be with our Colorado family for non-holiday, less crazy and low-programmed visits. Eli and Andi couldn’t wait and Oakley enjoyed sweet one-on-one time with Maama as well. We made breakfast at the park which was an awesome faux-camping move and pretty easy and fun.

 

7. Coaching Crossfit. I’m really enjoying getting into the coaching groove at Crossfit Northland. It’s humbling to get to speak into people’s goals, coach them on form, and encourage them towards new skills or heavier loads. Adding coaching makes

the schedule more full but is something our whole family is rallied around. Eli climbed to the top of the rope yesterday and then said on the way home, “I was just made to work out Mom. And I really think it’s fun!” I couldn’t agree with him more!!!

In scripture- 7 denotes fullness. Indeed, life is a gift and mine is full. Perhaps you make your own list today and enjoy feeling full!