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Monday, September 14, 2009

Embrace Life


Bob and I both like dark chocolate. We really enjoy the Dove dark chocolate bites, although we don't have them much. I bought a bag of them to take along when we went to Colorado. Each one has a little message inside on the wrapper. One of the first ones we opened, had this message on it - "Embrace Life.
As we talked about it, we decided that this was something we should really work on. How often do we just go from day to day, just doing our normal routines and not really thinking about it? We decided we need to make more of an effort to take advantage of opportunities as they arise. Some of these things can be so simple - enjoy the nice days, spend time with family, do things that make you laugh...
We frequently reminded each other of this throughout our trip. Bob told me that walking across the Royal Gorge Bridge was a good way to embrace life, to which I replied that I was merely trying to stay alive at that point!
This made me think of a song from a few years ago. It was done by both the Newsboys and Big Tent Revival. The name of it was "Choose Life". The lyrics were taken from Deuteronomy 30:19. Here is one verse of the song:
A choice is set before you now
Living or dying, blessing or cursing
And now the time has come around
To turn from your fighting and rest in His mercy

Chorus:
Choose life, that you may live
The life that He gives, he gives you forever
Choose life, the way that is true
From the one who chose you,
Your Father in Heaven
Choose life

My thought is that before we can embrace life, we need to choose it.


18 comments:

Heart2Heart said...

Mari,

I love this post! I think you hit the proverbial nail on the head when you stated in order to embrace life you must make sure you have chosen the right one to live. Otherwise you are simply spinning your wheels and going no where.

Love and Hugs ~ Kat

Kayren said...

I love the Dove chocolates, and the messages are just a bonus.

I hadn't heard this song...it's nice. Thanks for sharing it and the message.

Heidi said...

This post has interesting timing for me, as I have been reading on facebook the tributes to a boy/now man I went to school with, who became famous drummer and had a wonderful life, yet struggled with depression and decided to end that wonderful life on Sept. 8th.

We are called to embrace life, even when life is hard and painful. But how difficult that must be, right, more so for some than others.

Jesus is the answer, I'm sure of that, but depression....well, it is somewhat of a monster, I think.

I choose to embrace life. I also love Dove chocolates and to read the messages, as you speak of here.

Did we ever decide if we live near each other? GR area?

Sandra said...

Beautiful!! It makes you stop and really think about life and the condition of the world right now.

Kathy said...

First, I think my husband would like a lesson in dark-chocolate, especially if it took him a life-time to learn it. Second, I really enjoyed the song, and the red door said it all-choose life!

Betty W said...

Great post, with such a meaningful message! You are so right.
Even though life gets so frustrating sometimes, we need to choose life, again and again.
I´ve never had Dove chocolates, but they sound really good!

Anonymous said...

I'm not sure I've ever seen those chocolaty messages before, but they sound like they could entice a person to eat a lot more than they wanted to ;)

I've heard the song before too!! Today Jeff and I discussed maybe attending church again (we took a break)...I know I start a bible study group at the end of this month (for girls only-I'm excited!!)...

Diane said...

This is a great song with such a great reminder for us! I have really been trying hard lately to consciously look for opportunities set before me and to just take one moment at a time. Life can have so many bad things in it but until we experience the bad moments, we can't fully appreciate the good moments... even the great moments God puts before us. I consider YOU one of those "great moments" He's set before me and I thank Him for that! Great post!

Brooke said...

funny how a little candy can give such profound wisdom. how much happier would we be if we chose to embrace life daily?

Hootin Anni said...

Yes, yes..choosing a lifestyle and embrace it with all is so sensible.

But...but, walking across the Royal Gorge? Did you do it? Me, I took two steps forward, looked down, and took a HUGE GIANT step backward.

Just wanted you to know that I got your 5 words, and will post 'em tomorrow after I get a chance to write about them today sometime. Thanks Mari!

septembermom said...

This was a very beautiful song to share! Thanks Mari!

Grandma Elsie said...

Aw another dark chocolate lover !!!
I love those little tidbits and enjoyed your truth spoken wisely about life.
Oh and by the way,
I think ,
not walking across swinging bridges is 'choosing life '

Raise Them Up said...

What a neat song! I hadn't heard it before, so thanks for sharing the link. Great thoughts, too.

Mindy said...

I'd not heard that song, I love it!

Bonnie said...

I love this song !! Have loved it for a long time !! And I love this post !! I love that you guys are choosing to embrace life more !! And I laughed out loud at your comment to Bob as you crossed the RG Bridge !

Rebekah said...

Great sentiment. I know with the two younger kids, I try to laugh more than yell. With my first two kids, I didn't realize how fast the time would pass. I didn't get to appreciate it as much as should have.

I haven't heard this song before. I like it- thanks for posting it

Terri said...

Oh, I've always loved that song!

A Stone Gatherer said...

Wonderful advice Mari! Life sometimes passes us by without us enjoying the moment!