Life is Glorious!

Good Morning, Friends! Today is a glorious day! The sun has risen. I can see it shining on the tops of the trees as I look out my writer’s room window. The Lord God has blessed us with another glorious day. Let’s not waste it. Life is Glorious!

Every year on July 29, I remember waking up to a shooting pain. Labor pain. My firstborn child and I began a 36-hour journey together to bring him into this glorious world. He doesn’t remember exactly what he felt or experienced, but I remember what I did: 

• Excitement
• Pain
• Hope
• Suffering
• Love
• Nauseous
• Anticipation
• Anxiety
• Faith
• Exhaustion
• Joy

A son is born.

Did I mention it took 36 hours? I like to remind him of that fact every year. This year will be no different. Today, a few times, I will text him and call him to tell him, “I was in labor with you today.” As the day goes on, I will repeatedly tell him, “I was still in labor with you. Oh, by the way, it hurt…a lot!” 

Tomorrow, I will tell him, “Yeah, those labor pains, they were still happening, Dude!” 

I think his birthday should have been July 29, but God chose July 30. 

The Joy of Pain and Suffering

When I reach out to remind my son of the pain I was in to get him into this world, I’m also telling him it was worth it. I may tease him that my labor and delivery of him is my barometer for my pain threshold, (and it is), but what I’m really telling him is the pain was worth it. I love him, and I’d do it all over again if I had to. He is worth it.

I think Jesus feels the same way about us. 

Jesus loves us so much that He would go through all the suffering of dying again for us if He had to. But praise God He doesn’t! Like each childbirth, it’s a one-time deal. 

Like it was worth it to me to suffer 36 hours to have the joy set before me, a son being born, it was worth it to Jesus to go through all the suffering He went through too because He loves us that much. 

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Hebrews 12:1-2

The joy set before Jesus was worth His pain too. He conquered sin and death and now sits on the mighty and glorious throne. He is truly King, Lord, and Savior.

Significant Moments

This year marks a significant milestone for my son. It’s his golden birthday, and he starts a new decade of life. I remember being 30 myself. It was glorious! 

Every year July 29 marks a significant moment in time for me. It’s a reminder of how much joy comes after long suffering because of love.

 I’ll never forget all I felt and experienced to bring my son into this world. I believe Jesus never forgets all He experienced to give us eternal life either. 

As we celebrate life, let’s not forget the pain and suffering. It matters. For all the pain we endure in this life, may Jesus redeem it all with joy because of love.

Life is glorious, friends. No matter how old we are, how long we’re here, or what we are going through right now. Life is glorious! Let’s not waste it. Each moment is significant. ( I know because one minute of hard labor feels like a thousand!)

Let’s make our life matter because it does.

Call to Action Today

Here are just a few actions we can take today:

• Tell someone you love them even if they have caused you pain. 
• Celebrate life.
• Remember your pain.
• Feel excited if you have something to be excited about.
• Cry if you have some pain or sorrow in your life.
• Pray to and praise Jesus no matter what. 
• If you need prayer, let me know. I’d love to pray for you.
• If you feel led to encourage someone else, please comment because someone probably needs to hear your encouragement today.