Winter scene - Made for so Much More than Ordinary Lives - AnExtraordinaryDay.net
Last week I was doing a fair amount of contemplation regarding this space and decided to share a few of my thoughts with you.  It was one of those “streams of consciousness” kinds of posts.  Sometimes it’s helpful to process our thoughts with others.  Sometimes it’s helpful to simply write those thoughts down.  As I wrote, I surprised myself by writing this…

But even more… I want to thrive.  I want YOU to thrive.

I also created a printable with a thoughtful quote I found.

The post went live, and I shared it on Facebook.  End of story.

Not really.

Shelly, a faithful member of our An Extraordinary Day community on Facebook, sent me a link to this song by Casting Crowns that totally resonated with me.  It only takes a few minutes to view it and listen.

Casting Crowns – Thrive (Official Lyric Video) – YouTube.

 

A couple of phrases jumped out at me…

We know we were made for so much more than ordinary lives

and…

We were made to thrive

If you’ve been around here for any length of time, you probably have read the phrase, “Why be ordinary when you can be extraordinary.”  It’s more of a rhetorical statement than a question.  It’s my motto and one I coined back in 1992 when I started selling Longaberger and giving lots of home shows.  I used it at every presentation then and here on the blog it’s on the sidebar at the top and occasionally mentioned in posts… especially the 31 Days series here.

That motto came from my personal belief that…

we were made for so much more than ordinary lives

 

When I was a junior in high school, someone shared these words from John 10:10 with me:

I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

It’s one sentence in the middle of a parable that Jesus is telling where he explains that he is the good shepherd and what that means for us.

That one sentence was life-changing for me.

When I was just three, I remember sitting on the floor in my bedroom, playing records on my record player.  One of the records was red, and as I played it, a man talked about how much Jesus loves us and told how we could ask Jesus to be our Forever Friend.  So right there, on the floor in front of my bed, I choose to follow Jesus.  And that was that.

Somehow I knew there was more.  So when I was sitting with my friends at a high school event and heard these words from Jesus…

I came that they may have life and have it abundantly - Jesus - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

I knew, right then, what the more was.

The first step in all this was saying “Yes!” to Jesus all those years before.  (If you haven’t done that… tell him today that you want to follow him… that you want him to be the leader of your life.)

For me the more was and is realizing that Jesus came to give me life.  Not just waking up in the morning and realizing that I’m alive kind of life.  Jesus came so that I could live and breathe in him… not in my own feeble strength.  He came so that I could see his wonderful creation… everything on this orb including its people… through his eyes.  He wants me… and you… to have a richer, fuller life, than anything we could ever dream.  He wants us to live fully for him and be fully alive.  He did not create us to simply survive from birth to death… but to thrive.

We know we were made for so much more than ordinary lives

Let’s look at the lyrics of the song, Thrive.

Here in this worn and weary land
Where many a dream has died
Like a tree planted by the water
We never will run dry

So living water flowing through
God, we thirst for more of You
Fill our hearts and flood our souls with one desire

Just to know You and to make You known
We lift Your name on high
Shine like the sun, make darkness run and hide
We know we were made for so much more than ordinary lives
Its time for us to more than just survive
We were made to thrive

Into Your word, we’re digging deep
To know our Father’s heart
Into the world, we’re reaching out
To show them who You are

Joy unspeakable, faith unsinkable
Love unstoppable, anything is possible

 

I love the chorus…

Joy unspeakable, faith unsinkable
Love unstoppable, anything is possible

That’s how it is when we thrive… when we live the abundant life Jesus not only talked about, but sacrificed to give us.

 

One way to thrive is to live this life of faith in Jesus in community.

Most everyday on Facebook, I start and end our day with a pretty photo and a Bible verse.  During the day I might pose a question, or ask you to share something from your day which makes your heart glad.  Additionally, there are pretty spaces, my creative ideas, an occasional recipe, or something I’ve discovered elsewhere I think you might like to see.  In and among that, some in the An Extraordinary Day Facebook community share their joys and sorrows.  Life is hard.  It’s messy.  And many times we’re blind-sided by unexpected circumstances. Bring your stories, your joys, your prayer requests, and come to rejoice with some and walk along side others in prayer. I’d love for you to join us there.

In the weeks ahead, I’ll talk more about how we can live extraordinary lives and share some tips to thrive!  Be sure to come back for that.

 

Joy Day! Thrive - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

It’s JoyDay!

One thing that helps us thrive is to give thanks in all things… the good and not-so-good from our days.

Every week we gather for JoyDay! and count… just seven from the week before.  It’s a great way to put joy in your heart.  You might enjoy it so much you keep a JOY journal… a place where you give thanks in writing each day.  There’s something amazing that takes place in all the counting.

Without further ado… let me start the count this week!

God, I’m so grateful for…

  1. a January thaw!
  2. your work in my life… opening my eyes to following you in new ways.
  3. my husband’s delicious and not-too-sweet homemade chocolate chip cookies.
  4. a thoughtful reader who shared the wonderful song, Thrive!
  5. good traveling weather .
  6. employment possibilities.
  7. your constant faithful love holding me close through the hard days.

It’s your turn to count!
Tap your list in the share your extraordinary thoughts space below… and watch your Joy meter soar!

 

Thank you for stopping by today.
I appreciate you and your sweet comments make my day.

May your new week overflow with God’s goodness and JOY!
Diane

Receive FREE inspiration like this in your inbox!
Sign up Now

If you enjoyed this post….please pass it on to your friends.
Click any of the sharing buttons below.

Comments

  1. Gail says

    I like your phrase”just” 7 for we all have been blessed with more than 7 last week. Please indulge me to share an overwhelming, continous blessing. Summer 2013 God clearly spoke to me “you will never need to worry again”. I might worry, but I don’t NEED to. So in Dec. 2013 when DH had a stroke while out if town, when I have an oddball foster cat who needs a good home(i do animal rescue), or I’m dealing with a n y thing, I remind myself of God’s precious words to me. Everything doesn’t always turn out well, but I don’t waste time worrying. My Father is still on His throne loving me bunches.

    • Diane says

      Gail… I remember clearly, not all that long ago, reading in my Bible the verses about NOT worrying and it became abundantly clear to me that worry is a sin. That was a golden moment for me. I can’t say that I don’t worry… but I’ve made some pretty big improvements in that dept. That moment you heard from God was golden too. Remembering how much God cares for us and actively loves us and is working on our behalf… is so much better than worrying. Thanks for sharing Gail. [[hugs]]

  2. Debbi Saunders says

    I am thankful to God
    1. Life
    2. That the Lord is using me to minister to several people.
    3. For my Spiritual growth
    4. Glorious Sunshiny days!
    5. For my Friends job possibilities 🙂
    6. For peace!
    7. For my Home <3

    • Diane says

      Debbi… My heart is blessed as I read your ‘seven.’ God is doing some amazing things and blessing you in so many ways. {{hugs}}

  3. We are indeed meant to thrive! I have always appreciated your motto Diane. Okay, on to the joys this week:
    1. Our Seahawks are going to the Superbowl. I know, not very spiritual right? Being a lifelong fan and knowing that many of the team members are Christ followers it blesses my heart that they experienced a seemingly miraculous victory yesterday.
    2. Crisp yet sunny weather. The sun makes me feel so alive!
    3. Neighbors who came to watch the game at our house yesterday and whom we can now call friends (even though they were pulling for the wrong team). Praying that we can be a witness to them as they are unchurched.
    4. Quick healing for my husband’s eye which he injured badly two weeks ago. The injury is barely noticeable and his eyesight back to normal.
    5. The quiet times I’ve been having since the beginning of the year are amazing as God is speaking new things to me each day through the reading of the Word. You know how there are times when God seems to be silent? He is talking a lot right now and I am feeling so blessed.
    6. Knowing that the filling up is in preparation to be poured out. Expectant that God will be moving us back into some ministry arena this year. We don’t know exactly when or what that will be so we will just be still and wait.
    7. The great grace of God. He has redeemed the wasted years of my life.
    Bless you dear friend and may God give you the desires of your heart this week!
    Patti

  4. Karen says

    1. I am thankful for the beautiful sunrise.
    2. Thankful for a loving husband
    3. Thankful for family and friends.
    4. Thankful for the opportunities to meet new friends and share our joys and sorrows.
    5. Thankful for the sills i’velearned in my new hobby quilting.
    6. Thankful to greet each day.
    7. Thankful for all that I have been blessed with.

  5. Sylvia Marie says

    I am so thankful to be able to spend time with our Grandchildren,
    I am also thankful to have a Bible believing Church in which to hear the Word.
    For a warm home…
    The health to be able to enjoy date days with my hubby,Celebrated 55 years Oct. 2014.
    For lasting friendships.

  6. Mel says

    You’re on a roll….already with new “stuff” cropping up at the top of this web log. You GO!!
    One won’t thrive by simply talking about “doing”, eh?

    Right….joys!
    –getting a diagnosis accompanied by two cortisone shots to the wrist. Not the most cushy joy, but figured I’d get it outta the way.
    –ditto on the January thaw….what an amazing gift!
    –squishy blue ice packs and Minion bandaides….yes, I’m sulking.
    –the really cool flowery punchy thing himself gifted me on the holidays….finally got a chance to use it….inbetween using the squishy blue ice packs.
    –creating a banner that I’ve already gifted to a happy recipient. (That could count for two and make up for some of my sulking!)
    –having a surprise visitor over the weekend….perfect timing I might add.
    –decorating a co-workers work space for his birthday….very cool that I was asked to do it.

Trackbacks

  1. […] Made for so Much More than Ordinary Lives :: JoyDay! […]

Please Share Your Extraordinary Thoughts!

*

AMAZON ASSOCIATES DISCLOSURE: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.