make it awesome.

See this?


I've got a giant pile of that, waiting for me.

And this?


This little thing needs my attention, nearly every moment that he's awake.

Most days, my to-do list is a mile long. There are dirty dishes in the sink. Unfinished projects are everywhere. I could be planning trips to Italy... making more money... sheesh, even drinking coffee in silence. Instead, I clean diaper pails, jump at the sound of a little voice wailing through the baby monitor, and scramble to dry my hair before the little guy is totally awake.

STOP.

Rewind, to 18 months ago.

I'm in my very own office {which, at the time, was larger than my bedroom at home!}. A vanilla latte sits on the desk next to me. I'm wearing heels. On my to-do list are words like paint colors, decorate, coffee with friends, shopping, nap, and rest. The sun is shining. I've got friends working in the offices next to mine; I can pop in and say hello whenever I want. I can take leisurely lunch breaks. I can do whatever I want.

And instead...

I'm sitting there, staring out the window, at the bike path that runs past our building. A woman jogs by, pushing a stroller, moving fast. And all I can think is, "I wish I was her."

Yep.

I wanted to be that momma, jogging off down the trail. She probably didn't have a care in the world, beside taking her little darling baby out for some fresh air. Maybe they'd stop off for an ice cream cone, or roll around on the grass in the park. Of course, her baby never cried. She could push that child through any store, and baby would coo with contentment. Life would be grand, if that was me, ponytail bobbing to the beat of my gym shoes, as I pounded away, pushing my baby...

Seriously.

See my point?

You already know I've got a few unresolved issues that need dealing with {*grin*}. But I'm serious here.

Wherever you're at, there are going to be negatives. What's hanging you up?

Too many kids?
No kids at all?
A job that stinks?
Single, wishing you were married?
Married, wishing you were single?
Not enough money?
An apartment, when you'd rather have a house?
An unfinished house?
Old clothes?
Not enough peace and quiet?
Too much to do?

Let it go.

You've only got one shot at today.

Be faithful with what whatever you've got, big or little. Take what you have, and make it awesome. Rock it out. Live your life now.

Because, wherever you think you want to be... by the time you get there, you'll already be looking at the next thing. And the next. And the next.

Contentment is only possible by the grace of God.

So, wherever you're at today...

Be all there.