Better, Standing Room Only

I truly believe that I've reached a point in my life where I realize I want better… I want to be better, I want to feel better, I want to do better. I want to have every experience in my life be better. And with this new revelation… I have come to the realization that sometimes better means more. More work, more dedication, more discipline. More saying yes and less saying no.

If I want to feel better, then I need to eat better, and I need to move my body more which means more exercise- which is something that takes work, and it takes effort… trust me it takes a lot of effort! But then I feel better. Shocker, am I right! The same goes for my soul.  If I want my spirit to feel better, if I truly want to be a better person and have “peace” that comes to me no matter what- then I know what I need to do. I need to put in the work, the effort, the dedication, and have more discipline. I need to be better about spending time in my Bible whenever I can. I need to fill my soul with God’s word, whether that’s through sermons or through worship music. Spending time with other's who lift me up and inspire me to do good in the world!

And if I want to be a better person and a better Christian… then all of the same apply. More work, more effort, more dedication, more discipline. Saying yes more often than I say no. Ensuring that I always put others first. I want to be the person who instinctively helps the elderly woman across the street, not worrying about getting to the car wash before there’s a huge line. 
I have realized this isn’t just a want, it is a need. I need to be better. I don't just want to be in the same place that I always have been. I want to continue to be better than I was yesterday. 

Now, although I am dedicated to being better, I am also 10000% realistic. Am I going to make mistakes… Yes! Yes I am! Am I  going to eat an entire chocolate satin pie when I’m sad…yes… yes I am! [thank you Marie calendars for that delicious box of calories and sin] But it’s OK! I have realized that I don’t have to be better than anybody else or anything else, I just have to be a better version of myself, better than I was the day before. Sometimes that means just getting out of bed and putting one foot in front of the other…. 

I think about it like this, like a domino effect. When you feel better you will be able to do better, and do more for more people. I want to be able to live a life that impacts more people than I can count… not for my own glory, but for God. I just know how rewarding and magical a life walking with Jesus is… and want that for everyone! 

I was listening to a sermon by Pastor Michael Todd once, and it was talking about money.. I know that it seems like I’m way off topic here- but I promise… it will come full circle… hopefully… He was talking about using your money to further God’s kingdom… and honestly I don’t remember his exact words- but he was talking about how when people ask you for money [I’m not sure where you live- but where I live unfortunately we have many homeless who stand on the corner and ask for money] you need to give it. He stated; people often give excuses or reasons as to why they don’t want to give money to the homeless… but those excuses shouldn't matter because God said to give, not give with strings, not ask what they are going to do with the money, but if someone asks you for something you give it to them (if you can), give wholeheartedly. In the sermon on the mount, in Matthew chapter 5, Jesus said “Give to the one who asks” other versions say “Give to the one who begs”. 

I have made the decision in my life that I want to give of my time and my resources. I want to serve others the way Jesus served. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” Mark 10:45 And you know what I have found my sweet friends?! The  more I give, do and serve, the better I feel!

Now it seems like I'm going to be getting off topic a lot.. but I promise there's a connection... at least I think there is....  I’m going to talk about music.. But I promise… it comes full circle. I’m not sure if you're a music person, but I love music. I always have music on in the background. There are so many songs that hold such important places in my life because of the words they share. As a family we always said when my dad got to Heaven… he heard his Savior say, “well done my good and faithful servant”... and even though that is a bitter sweet thought… that was exactly how my dad lived his life… for God, always putting others first. All of this connects to an old Ray Boltz song - it was my dad’s favorite- it was sung at his funeral… that song is called ‘Thank you’..... 

“One by one they came
Far as the eyes could see
Each life somehow touched
By your generosity
Little things that you had done
Sacrifices made
Unnoticed on the earth
In heaven now proclaimed
And I know that up in heaven
You're not supposed to cry
But I am almost sure
There were tears in your eyes
As Jesus took your hand
And you stood before the Lord
He said, my child look around you
For great is your reward
Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am a life that was changed
Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am so glad you gave”

This is what I want for my life. I want to be able to be a listening ear, a teacher, a model, a helping hand, someone who will sit with you through the tears of pain and tears of joy. 

And you know… it’s so interesting how God makes connections in your life… a few days ago my sweet best friend sent me a song to listen to… she had no idea that God had laid this whole idea on my heart or that I had been working on this blog for the past few weeks. She had the kindest, sweetest words to say. She shared that the song was all about living a life so great that at your funeral there will be standing room only. [Thank God for supporting, loving, friends who love Jesus and cheer you on!!!]  The song is titled “Standing Room” by Tim McGraw…

"I wanna take my grudges and my old regrets, and let 'em go
I wanna learn how to say a lot more yes and a lot less no
Girl, I wanna dance and shout and love out loud, and come alive
Don't wanna be the guy too cool to laugh and too scared to cry
I wanna live a life, live a life
Like a dollar and the clock on the wall don't own me
Shine a light, shine a light
Like mama's front porch when I'm lost and lonely
Start forgivin' and start forgettin'
Be somebody that's worth rememberin'
Live a life so when I die
There's standing room only, standing room only"

Both of these songs inspire me… inspire not just be a quote ‘good person’, but be a Godly person…that works every day to further the kingdom of God- they inspire me… to be better, so some day there will be standing room only.