| Good morning everyone, Our theme for this month: “Knowing God” Our Bible verse for today: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10 (NIV) Our thought for today: “Learn to enjoy and savor life” I’m reading an interesting and helpful little devotional book right now called “Pilgrimage into the Last Third of Life”, by Jane Thibault and Richard Morgan. The premise of the book is that life basically consists of three broad seasons: the growing years from birth to twenty or so; the working years from twenty to sixtyish; and the senior years from roughly sixty until whenever you die. God wants us to fully enjoy and savor all of those years. In one of the devotionals Jane tells the story of a dream she had in her early forties. It was a time when she was way too busy with work and family and life in general, and she was so stressed that she really wasn’t enjoying life very much. One night she had a dream that she had died and was standing before Jesus. But He wasn’t the Jesus she expected. Instead, He was a slim and trim middle-aged man wearing faded jeans, a casual shirt, and moccasins. He had a trim beard, a friendly manner, and a warm welcoming smile. With eagerness Jesus asked Jane, “Well, how did you enjoy it?” Jane was confused by the question and after a moment she asked, “How did I enjoy what?” “Your life”, Jesus said, “How did you enjoy your life? Tell me all about it. Was it fun? Did you savor the special moments? Tell me how it was.” Jane wasn’t sure how to proceed but she realized she had to be truthful, and besides that, surely Jesus would appreciate how hard she had worked and all the things she had accomplished. So, Jane proceeded to tell Jesus how it was that much of her life had been stressful and difficult, and although she couldn’t claim to have enjoyed it a whole lot, she had persevered and pushed through and ultimately, she accomplished a lot. As she told those things to Jesus she watched as His smile faded and was replaced by a look of sadness, even grief. Finally, Jesus replied, “Jane, you’re not ready for heaven. You haven’t fully lived yet. Go back and learn to savor and enjoy your life. The things you have accomplished are good, they are fine. But if you didn’t also live fully and joyfully, you missed the best part. Go back and live some more.” Which she did. Jane is now in her sixties and for more than twenty years since that dream she has continued to work hard and to accomplish meaningful things with her life, but she has also made it a point to savor special moments and to fully enjoy the days of her life. By all means, work hard and be productive. And yes, also be sure to live in a way that honors God and blesses others. But don’t forget to enjoy and savor the moments of your life too. An important thing to know about the nature of God is that He wants you to live fully and joyfully. Jesus said so in John 10:10 – He came so you can have life, and to have it to the full. God bless, Pastor Jim |
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Oak Hill Baptist Church 
Thank you for today’s devotional. It rang close to home for me. I look back on my life and have to smile. I have been truly blessed—and not necessarily in the usual ways one might measure blessings. I can’t count the ways for which I can be grateful. I realize now that I wear that gratitude…I seem to always have a smile on my face. Most times I don’t even realize it.
Blessings,
Jim Goodrich
Sent from my iPad
Thanks Jim. It’s true, you smile all the time. I’m smiling too. Headed to Texas for an early Christmas with my grandson. See you next Sunday.