Not long ago, a dear friend shared this quote with me. I don't know who made it, or where she found it, but I have been thinking about it ever since:

 

"LIFE IS NOT MEASURED BY THE NUMBER OF BREATHS WE TAKE, BUT BY THE MOMENTS THAT TAKE OUR BREATH AWAY."

 

If you live out here in this area, you probably have views from a number of places in your house or property that take your breath away.  I have one from my kitchen sink window of Allegres Mountain.  It sure makes doing the dishes less of a chore. The views in this area are great-- they really do take your breath away.  Western sunsets are that way too.  And my personal favorite is the full moon.  Watching the full moon rise and travel through a clear starry night is awesome.

 

These are some of the physical moments that take our breath away.  There are also emotional and spiritual moments that do the same. You know them--you've had them. Think of a baby's smile, or when he/she grabs your finger in its tiny pudgy hand.  When my children encircle me with their arms and declare their love for me-- it takes my breath away.

 

We sang "Never Alone" in church Sunday. I tried to get through the song without crying, but I couldn't.  The words and the reality of the concepts in the song--took my breath away.  I was reminded in song that through this ol' life I am never alone, because of my relationship with God.  Through all of the "stuff" of life, He is a fast friend who is always there.

 

I used to think of that fact in a negative way, as a deterrent to making mistakes. Kind of a thing hanging over my head- a type of ' Jesus is watching you' idea that made me think He was going around with me just watching and waiting for me to mess up, so He could get on my case.  But that is not true at all.  We are never alone. He is with us, within us to HELP. He is with us in all the temptations and situations of life to help, not to criticize; to comfort and reveal things to us about ourselves and the lives we are living here on earth, that we would not know or understand without Him.  He's not interested in being a spy to nab me every time I mess up.  He shed His blood on a wooden cross to take care of that problem.  He is interested in being my closest friend and confidant, getting me through every situation I could ever find myself in, and being my power to live a wonderful and abundantly blessed life with Him on this earth, until I pass from this life to Eternity.  He wants to give us all moments that take our breath away.

 

I hope you have many of those moments that take your breath away in the coming days and weeks.

 

I'd love to hear about them-- call me and share--(505) 772-5156 or ann@datilbaptistchurch.com .

 

Remember you are loved.

Mountain Baptist Association Women's Schedule:

Feb 19th --11:30 am lunch at the Magdalena Cafe, Magdalena

March 18th--11:30 lunch at Ella's Cafe in Reserve

April 30- May 2nd Women's retreat at Glorietta.

 RSVP by first week in April. Note: All lunches are Dutch treat