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I’m Doug Apple...and my heart is on fire! (Luke 24:32)
“I wanted her to live her life.”
“What?”
“My mother. She had some bad things happen in her life.”
“What did you want her to do?”
“I wanted her to love it anyway.”
That’s a quote from a movie that really stuck with me. Although his mother’s life was riddled with hard things, he wanted his mother to love her life anyway.
Have you ever met someone who was just a downer? Either life had given them a beating, or else their life wasn’t so bad, they just thought it was; and they became a downer, a crabby little Eeyore singing woe is me and raining on everyone’s parade.
Well, what can you do if life gives you a beating?
Love it anyway. You can embrace it and run with it and milk it for all it’s worth.
I think of Jesus’ parable of the talents. Some were given more than others, but all were expected to take the hand they were dealt and play it for good, for improvement, for growth and expansion and increase.
Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, rejoice!
This is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it!
Giving thanks always, for all things, to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ!
Think on these things, whatever is true and noble and right, whatever is pure and lovely and admirable. If anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think on these things.
Yes, maybe life has dealt you a blow. Maybe your life is in the dumps, but...love it anyway.
God has given you life. Love it anyway.
Your children aren’t doing what you want? Love them anyway.
Your husband isn’t St. Peter? Love him anyway.
Your wife isn’t the virgin Mary? Love her anyway.
Your church isn’t the best in the west? Love it anyway.
Your job is unpleasant? Love it anyway.
God our Father is lavishing His love on you! He is giving you everything you need for life and godliness. All His promises are yes and amen. Every perfect gift comes from above, and how willing God is to give good things to those who ask Him!
So whatever your life looks like today, whatever trash got dumped on you, whatever blows you’ve taken...your life is still a precious gift from God, so...
Love it anyway.
May God bless you, today.
I’m Doug Apple.
