Asking The Hard Questions

Old houses, the kind that families live in a long time, tell a story.  I used to sit and watch one old house when I was growing up.  I knew it was special. Too many old houses are neglected.  But. Not this one.  There was uniqueness in the "old" of the house.  Craftsmen had built it in the early 1900's with attention to detail, giving the house a one-of-a-kind character and distinct personality.  And. The family living in the "old" house gave life to its story.  They did not just occupy the house, but gave attention to it, bringing life to it, with a welcoming atmosphere and an unusual high energy.

They inspired, influenced, and motivated me to experience more in life.  I can't imagine what life would have been like without the family in the old house. 

We need to be reminded of what it really means to live. The thing is . . . we can either occupy the time and space we have on earth, neglecting the gift of life  . . . or we can pay attention and intentionally live in it . . . with one-of-a-kind character, distinct personality, high energy, and passion . . . impacting the world around us. It is a daily choice. And.

We need to be courageous enough to ask God, others, and even ourselves,  What would this world be like without us . . . today . . . and tomorrow?  What would be missed?  The answer to the hard questions is the message of today's chapter of our life story.

Consider.

 “My brothers have made me tend their vineyards, but I have neglected my own” (Song of Songs 1:6). 

The few words written in the first chapter of Song of Songs could be yours and mine.  If, we neglect our own life, we will miss out on the purpose of living.   Too often we tend to the tasks of life and not life itself.   While we may blame it on someone or something, neglecting our own life is more about neglecting God, the source of life.   We end up occupying  the time and space we have without living the life God has planned.

Ask the hard questions.
Be courageous.
Determine what the message of your life story is today.
Intentionally live, paying attention to the Source of your life.

Learning to Kickstart the day asking the hard questions,
Kerrie

(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)