Surviving or Thriving?

Do you ever have those days where you feel like you are just going through the motions… just trying to get to the next thing until you can lay your head down and wait for the next day to come?

They happen to all of us. Those bad days. Or maybe not even a bad day. Just a “blah” day. They happen. And sometimes there is seemingly nothing to do to stop the spiral effect of monotony consuming your day.

Today… I felt this is full effect. I woke up feeling great, fed the kids breakfast, started the worship music, got into the Word, played with the kids and then slowly but surely my day just hum-drummed away. Feeling not much purpose or power, I went through the motions, just barely scrapping the surface of the potential for this day. Not living in full joy or soaking in the colors of life. Doing what had to be done in the moment and moving on to the next thing instead of letting the Holy Spirit take us away in a whirlwind of adventure and fire!

So what happened? Why was this the outcome of my day? Why did I not strive to change the course of it? What was lacking? I started my day out with the Lord and sought Him throughout moments of it. I am always blessed to be a stay-at-home mom to my kids and enjoy the freedom of our days so what is missing? Where is this dryness coming from? Why am I living in a desert instead of an overflowing waterfall of liveliness?

I believe there are many answers to that- most of which are completely in my control. JUST A FEW would be my attitude towards situations, how I am choosing to live life. It’s in my hands. Giving my days fully to Christ and seeking Him through every day moments. Allowing His Grace and Mercy to overcome me and flow through me. And in that, knowing the amount of surging hormones rushing through my body during my 5th pregnancy- I mean, that’s gotta play a part, right?

And knowing that rough days, or “dry” days come, but there is tomorrow.. and, in fact, there is the rest of that day- it can be changed even after one bad or seemingly normal circumstance.

I believe its in the little things in how I choose to spend my day, in whom I choose to surround myself with. I think its in the thoughts I have, the actions I take and the feelings I have towards situations. It’s dependent on how many times I check my phone, or how little or too much I am working. It reflects in my spiritual life and how much time I spend with my Savior each day, fellowshipping with Him and teaching my children to do the same. It’s in the joy or complaint I have in making 4 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch and cooking a meal for 6 people each and every night- hot on the stovetop for when hubby arrives home. It’s in the rush to put the kids to bed to try and soak in those few hours of “adult ” time or taking those 10 extra minutes every so often to lay my hands on my children’s heads and hearts, anoint them with oil and pray over them and speak life into them. It’s in the every day decisions. Its in the way I choose to love and approach life.

So how do I brighten and make shine the dullness of those dreary days? I don’t think there is a formula for it- I think it is in the hands and hearts of those willing to live and walk in Jesus and in Joy and in the amazing opportunity to just live life here on this earth. To take moments to make memories, to dig deep, to love unhindered and unashamed.

I don’t want to just survive each day. Just barely making it by. Just skimming through moments without leaving lasting impacts. I want to live in full color. I want to leave a mark. I want to grow and learn and LAUGH!

I want to THRIVE!

I choose to THRIVE!