"I Love Life!"

This afternoon my dad's side of the family had a family reunion. There were about 130 in attendance. Out of eleven original children, there is only one living sibling left. My dad's aunt Elsie is 86 years old and lives in California. There were 15 people who flew from California for the reunion and 52 total from just her family alone.

I found out some interesting things about Elsie today. For her 80th birthday, her family went on a cruise. For her 85th birthday, they went to Disney World. She made a small speech today and said she plans to live to 100!! She also said something that was great to hear: She said, "I love life!" Isn't that great? Thankfully, Elsie is in good health so far and is able to do everything she wants to do.

Tonight our preacher talked about suicide. While he was talking, I thought about the people who I know that have lost friends and loved ones in this way. Sadly, the people who choose to take their life don't feel like they can say as Elsie did: "I love life!" For those who feel like ending their life, there is no hope - there is no help.

Sometimes mental illness and other diseases can cause people to feel this way, but other times it is a choice. Our attitude determines a lot in our life and it's important to realize that we do have a choice whether to be happy or not. If we allow selfishness to creep in, before too long everything becomes "ME" centered instead of Christ-centered. If we begin to look at everything inwardly instead of looking upward - towards Christ - our whole outlook on life will change.

Last year I got a little down about something that had happened in our lives. It wasn't a conscience decision, but I allowed Satan to control my thoughts and began to look inward instead of upward. I remember something my husband, Joe said to me during that time: Nothing we ever go through will ever compare to what Christ went through for us. That is so true! Any time you and I have a struggle it can never compare to the agonizing death Jesus went through on the cross - and He willingly did that for us...because He loved us so much.

If Jesus loves us that much, surely we can, like Elsie say, "I love life!" And we can love life enough to live for the One who saved us. I hope that you, too can say, "I love life!"

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Colossians 3:1-4