I have come that they might have Life, & have it to the full. JOHN 10:10
Life to the fullest.
When I was younger, I never much cared for this verse. I think the idea of living a full life seemed so daunting & heavy – like one more thing to strive for perfection. One more thing to mark off my checklist at the end of the day. “Hmmm, let’s see….homework? check! kiss boyfriend? check! live life to the fullest? check!” I felt like the verse boxed me into a corner & that living life to the fullest meant living a life without blemish or mistake. & that made both it & God feel unobtainable.
But now that I’m older with a different perspective of both me & God, I realize that living a full life is not unobtainable. It’s not about perfection or living sterile.
It’s about warm rolls baking in the oven on Saturday morning.
Sunlight streaming in through clean windows & thanking God for another new day.
Fleece pajama baby feet that patter in a home that once sat empty.
A red dog galloping into the living room & being thankful for her still-puppy exuberance despite her muddy paws.
It’s about those warm rolls being pulled from the oven & the light that glows in my toddler’s eyes.
Spreading icing warm & thin over the cinnamon, breathing in the sugar.
The impulse that allows us to live without inhibitions, like forks tinkling against the serving plate because we simply could not wait.
A little boy climbing into my lap & heart, his own baby thankfulness spilling over into an “Mmmmmm” after each bite.
Laughter & love & mistakes & forgiveness & thankfulness, given that we may live life with a full heart.
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Dayspring sent me this beautiful plate which now graces our home for cinnamon rolls & decoration. Beautifully made, it says “life” in various languages, reminding us to soak it in for the full life intended. Dayspring has also generously offered a $50 store credit to one of you.
What does living a full life mean to you?
Gah I want to get there again…right back in that sweet spot where every little thing beautifully matters. Where happiness lurkes around each corner…when I can wake up and just smile.
Living a full life to me means – loving to the fullest, loving with all your heart and never holding back , and filling your life w/ the things that matter the most to you – whatever that means! That is living a full life to me!
Sometimes I forget what makes me feel full … what fills my soul and my cup overflows. I’ve forgotten the past couple of weeks. So thank you, because I needed to remember.
It’s the sun pouring in between blinds in the morning. The sound of my husband clinking in the kitchen making coffee. The quiet in our house that I dream will soon be filled with tiny infant cries & eventually the sound of tiny bare feet running across hardwood floors. It’s Saturdays sitting by a fireplace drinking a cup of coffee … or a tall glass of wine. It’s a smile from a stranger. It’s walking outside and feeling the sun on my face and knowing that it’s another day. It’s seeing life past moments of frustration. It’s seeing through the dust and clouds of a bad day. It’s bottling up that moment of excitement that just makes you smile for no reason and saving it … for a rainy day.
life being full is simply realize how to treasure each moment and not take things for granted.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. I loved this post and I am trying to do just that- let the stuff that’s not so good go and focus on what I LOVE. I am so lucky and to not be happy with the life I have would be a disappointment to the lord made man who died so that I may have life. Not just a life that I muddle through but a life that is full with love.
Living a full life to me is making sure to enjoy every aspect of my life that is so important to me — my family, my son, my health and just to enjoy life and not focus on negativity.
A full life is one where you can recognize what is important and cherish it and let all else fall to the side.
i think you’ve gotten there, my friend.
For me a full life is just living in the moment and being glad for all of this crazy ride. My husband who isn’t perfect but is perfect for me, my wild 1 year old, our jobs that provide, good friends, and our faith.
And savoring all that this life has to offer.
I lost my dad to pancreatic cancer almost 14 years ago, so living life to its fullest means spending quality time with the ones I love. My additional sources of joy are the simple things-like you said, the sun streaming through the windows, my toddlers smile, warm goodies from the oven…but that wasn’t always the case. It’s amazing how losing someone close to you can change your perspective on everything.
Thanks for a great post <3
Being in the moment With my girls every single day
I’ve realized recently that I’ve taken things for granted and let moments slip by me. I have focused on the negative and been depressed. I thought everyone hated me. I’ve come to the realization tht the problem here has been me and I’ve taken steps to rectify this. Carpe diem. No regrets no remorse no feeling sorry for myself and wondering what if.
i think of living life to the fullest as sucking the marrow out of it.
thanks for doing this giveaway!!
I guess it means not being bogged down by crappy things that might crop up, but taking them in stride, knowing that it all comes together to make my little life perfect in the way it should be. Perfect to me, and not anyone else. Just doing my best with what I have.
Is there anything better than watching a toddler go “Mmmmm” or “Yummm” as they eat something that you made? I think not.
For me living a full life is about being in the moment and not always thinking ahead to what needs to be done next.
Living a full life to me means- never holding back and living in the moment
While Taylor was deployed, I lost my favorite aunt. Then I lost a close friend. Then we lost our priest. Taylor returned, and we lost my grandfather. I don’t say these things to garner pity. I say them because the loss of those who I loved so deeply helped me learn that nothing is promised.
Every morning, I wake up and thank God for bringing my husband home to me. For giving me this beautiful little boy calling out “mama” from his crib. For letting me bring life into the world once again with this pregnancy. None of our blessing are taken for granted, and for me? That means living our lives to the fullest possible extent.
I realize how full my life is everyday when I wake up to the sounds of my beautiful daughter – home after being hospitalized as a preemie and my amazing husband who has been there to support me through everything.
For me it’s freedom. Freedom from sin. Freedom from the pain that it brings. Knowing that no matter what, God has given me hope. I love this post!
Living life to the fullest for me means embracing every thing life throws at you, the good and the bad and being there and owning it. Also remembering to cherish the little things that can sometimes fall through the cracks.
I think it means really taking life in–don’t let it pass you by. Take in all the teeny, tiny, “insignificant” moments and make them big moments.
–Leah
Mrs. Confident from Confident Until Completion
Living a full life is about appreciating your mistakes because they made you the person you are today, being with family and loved ones because you want to not because you have to, & enjoying the little things in life (a cup f coffee, flowers, sunshine).
Living life to the fullest for me means enjoying every moment I can with my husband and son. Realizing that mistakes happen and not to dwell on the past but embrace the present. Enjoying the little things like the laughter of children playing outside, a nice hot cup of tea on a chilly night, or the look my son has on his face when he learns something new.
I love this post. For me, right now, it’s finding contentment in the everyday. Finding peace in a life that is turned upside down. Finding happiness in an entirely new way.
Right now, living life to the fullest for me means to learn to be content and grateful, no matter the situation. It means to cherish the nights that my 4-month old wakes up in the middle of the night and wants to be snuggled by mommy. It means watching the joy in my 17- month olds face as he learns to stack blocks higher and higher, even if he’s making a mess. It means sitting down next to my husband to talk, rather than hop on the computer to check my email. Basically, it means knowing that these are fleeting moments, and if I don’t recognize their fullness, I’m going to miss them.
It means going to bed every night realizing how lucky and blessed I am. I have wonderful family and friends and a little money that melts my heart every time I look in his eyes.
Just taking time to laugh with my girl every single day.
Living a full life means to live without fear and worry. God will take care of my needs, so it’s okay to relax and life joyfully… I don’t have to do everything myself. It’s just as important to take deep pleasure in the small, wonderful moments with loved ones and recognize that they are gifts from God, as it is to get the laundry done… Probably more important.
Putting my family first and spending as much time with my husband and kids as possible
I LOVE this post. Thanks for reminding me what matters. Just one question: You actually take the time to use FORKS for the cinnamon rolls???
I needed this today! Thank you!!!!
i’m trying to determine this for myself. it’s been a difficult year, and i’m striving to be happy, and to be me again. right now, fullness is enjoying the little things. not pushing the kitten away when she jumps up for a cuddle and i’m on the computer, but pushing the laptop away and enjoying the love. not bickering with family over the small things that don’t really matter at the end of the day. being kind with my words. loving my boyfriend with every fibre of my heart, the way he deserves.
For me it means living, laughing and loving. I seriously love those quotes “Live. Laugh. Love” Life shouldn’t be busy and stressful. You should cherish every moment here on earth and dont take anything for granted.
That is a beautiful plate. To me, living life to the fullest means trying new things and not scarying away from new adventures.
For me living life to the fullest means doing my best to live for God. I have always struggled with letting God be in control of my life, who doesn’t?
For my husband and I we are trying to do the best we can to make a home for our future family (we are trying for #1!). That is living life to the fullest!
Taking my 2 year old from his crib early on a Saturday morning and letting him hang out and watch movies with us in our bed. Laying in the quiet of night and feeling the new life inside me rolling around. Just being able to sit back and watch my boys. That’s full.
Taking advantage of every single sweet moment of life that I’ve been blessed with
Enjoying my husband, my daughter and a a hazelnut coffee with a smile.
A full life means family, work, and recreation to me – fitting it all in!
I just am trying to appreciate every little moment with my son. He shows me life in a new way. It’s beautiful.
To me, living life to the fullest means slowing down. I’m so very type-A that I tend to do everything in hyper-speed and rush through one thing to get to the next. When I slow down and savor each moment I feel that I am more able to enjoy life’s little things.
Living a full life means living in each minute for what it is: whether its a quiet evening on the sofa with my husband and dogs, a day in the garden in the spring sun, a moment folding freshly laundered baby clothes while feeling my son kick me as I wait to meet him.
Living a full life means continuing to just live the best way I know how and thanking god for all the blessings in my life.
A full life is what I have. It means that I have a relationship with Jesus Christ. It means that the little girl sleeping down the hall is my miracle and I recognize that every day. Living a full life means that although my husband and I have our ups and downs, we love each other deeply. A full life is the recognition that in May I’ll be the first female in my family to have a Master’s degree.
A full life is one that is not lived for myself, but to better the other people in my life through my serving and recognition of my countless blessings.
Your analogy looks at a small slice of what John is talking about when he writes this chapter. One that is important to for Christians to remember, but a slice that needs to be considered in the greater context of the message. The verse is about Jesus’ mission here on earth, which was to lay down his life for mankind and to make himself known to all people. The statement, I believe encourages people to celebrate our human existence as beloved children of God, but more … to remember that our time here on earth is not our final stop, but a place where we can prepare for eternal life.
Living life to the fullest is a mission that reminds me that all humans share one unifying trait, our life here on earth, and that each of us is precious and known to our creator. It reminds me that I am not alone and that it is my responsibility to give of myself to others.
A full life means having those moments of realization that nothing could make me any more happier.
Living a full life is something I strive for so desperately, yet I think if I relaxed and just let it be, that I’d feel fuller. Does that make sense?
We have a revival going on in my county, and I feel like I’m running from it when I need to run towards it. I feel empty because we desperately want a second child. Perhaps if I turned that over to God, I would feel fuller. And I’m trying. Although I need to just DO and not just try.
Beautiful post, as usual. It really helped me think, and helped me wrap my head around what it means to live life to the fullest, and to live a truly full life. Thank you my dear.
Can you post the recipe to those rolls?????
Thanks!!
Living life to the fullest…Being who the Lord has called you to be in doing what he has called you to do. Living in God’s will is where you will find the most peace and joy.
To me, living life to the fullest is not thinking about the “what ifs” in life. “What if my heart was more healthy and I could have another child?” Instead, being thankful for the bright bundle of sunshine peacefully sleeping the night away. Another thing I need in my life to be full is my personal relationship with God. Through a book series I’ve been reading, it’s made me understand better that it’s not about the prayers you say, that they have huge words and be so eloquent in speech, but that they come from your heart.
Thanks for making me think about that. It’s something I’ve needed lately.
Hugs to you tonight. Good luck with the time change! ><
When my son, who is normally a squirmy, babbling bundle of slippery body parts struggling to escape my arms, settles into a little ball of limp baby and snuggles into my neck for an all-too-short snooze, newborn style… That is when I rememeber how full my life is.
For me, living life to the fullest means….
Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.
Thanking God for every moment no matter what the circumstances.
For me it is having a spiritual relationship with God and having a loving, open and honest relationship with my husband, son and son to be. I feel very blessed.
Living my full life is having a reason to smile every single day and how blessed am I that I do.
Okay, BA, you’ve just changed my perspective.
My students often quote the trite “live life to the fullest” and I fake vom over their cliche’.
But now? I can teach them that it’s not about living life to its fullest. It’s about living a full life.
A full life for me is what I’ve got this morning. A cup of coffee, a snuggly quilt made by my Mama. And the boy sitting on my feet. But what makes it full is the peace I feel in my heart and soul in this moment.
Living a full life to me is to be a wonderful mama and a wonderful wife while remembering to enjoy each moment with my family and not sweat the small stuff. Cliche, I know, but very true in my life right now.
Living life to the fullest means being satisfied. Knowing that enough is enough, we have enough money, enough “things”. That what’s important is that we have enough love, that we are satisfied in that.
Living life to the fullest is living through the darkness to find the light on the other side and learning that mistakes and disasters teach us who we really are. I love that verse you used from John; God wants us to have a life that is bursts with joy, new experiences, and a brave spirit of love.
I think living life to the fullest means making every day count. Not letting moments pass. Making memories with your family that will last forever.
It’s walking away from dishes in the sink to enjoy the daily bedtime ritual that my son shares with his daddy-the few minutes of the day when we’re actually working together & playing as a family.
It’s realizing that I can’t have it all, and that’s okay! Being content with what I have.
I think I’m still figuring out what living a full life means. Sometimes I think I truly understand, but the very next day I can become overwhelmed and lose that feeling. I think that for me, right now, it’s something to strive for and a process I’m working through.
Living a full life means living a life not OVER full.
Over commitment makes you miss the LIVING part.
Thank you for this opportunity!
Finding a balance of being selfish and selfless, and living a God centered life.
Living a full life means never regretting anything. It means taking risks and playing it safe. It means loving whole heartedly and learning to deal with disappointments. It means finding the joy in the littlest, darkest of moments and the solace in the brightest and best of our days.
side note: I just recently came across your blog, and I love, love, love it. Amazing writing – insightful, humorous, smart. I appreciate your use of the ampersand and find your son adorable!
Living life to the fullest to me means to be happy in this place on the map that God circled for me. And His plan is much better than mine – even though if He could take my suggestions every now and then. Ha ha.
Love the plate!
To me, living a full life means trying to constantly balance everything- it’s so important to spend quality time with the kids, but I recently realized it’s equally important to spend quality time with ME!
Serving God, always bething there for my family, and living and loving every moment with my children!
I used to think that living a full life meant my days were packed with appointments, things to do, places to be, go go go from sun up to well past sun down.
I have learned that living life fully means: being true to myself; loving passionately, honestly, and deeply; worshipping a forgiving God; being thankful in my daily living.
Living. Laughing. Loving.
A full life is soaking up every moment with someone who’s 2 1/2 feet tall, has curly brown hair and the most mischievous grin I’ve ever seen
Living life to the fullest means thanking God for another day when I wake up, & telling the ones that I love exactly that. I try to give at least one compliment a day & end the day with a dinner that leaves my belly full.
Your plate is beautiful! I am anxious to check out the rest of their pieces.
Sadly, right now living life to the full just means getting up in the morning and making it through the day.
love this beautiful post, such a glimpse into your heart..loving my family and friends, laughter, soaking in the presence of God and His blessings, relishing the little daily gifts is living life to the fullest…
The verse reminds me of how much was sacrificed just so we could live our day to day lives. It helps me remember to take that life and enjoy all of it – the small things, especially – and to not dwell on what we don’t have.
For me it means for me to examine myself and see if I’m doing all that I should do or if I’m only doing all that I “want” to do and am I doing it for the right reasons.
Not caring that its 1am. Your 2 month old hasn’t gone to sleep yet and your 18 month old is going to wake up in 4 hours. Just chalking it up to extra time you get to spend with your little one.
Enjoying every sweet moment with my baby girl.
Never posted before but I read your blog every day:) Living life to the fullest to me means surrounding myself with the people and things that have the most meaning to me which brings me a sense of gratitude and a feeling of fullness.
Right now it means focusing on the things that are awesome, or even just good and downplaying or choosing not to focus on the inconvenience of the things that aren’t any fun.
Because that’s what makes a bad day bad most of the time (with the exceptions of really bad stuff, like death, illness and injury).
Your car getting a flat usually equals a bad day, but that’s not because your car got a flat. It make sit a bad day because you couldn’t go where you wanted to when you wanted to and you had to shell out money you wanted to do something else with. So instead you sit where you are and look for the good part about being stuck wherever that is instead of obsessing about where you were “supposed” to be. Maybe it’s on the side of the road but if you use that extra time to write or catch up on phone calls to old friends, it can still be a valuable or even enjoyable experience.
Look for the positive and you’ll almost always find it.
And when you can’t make it good, live in the moment of the crap while you’re in it. Imagine your relief when the towtruck shows up 10 minutes ahead of schedule.
Living the full life to me is soaking up every single growing moment with my boys. Temper tandrums and all
Enjoying every moment and appreciating the good in life. Hugging my son every single chance I get.
Living Life to the fullest means to me, never missing and opportunity to say ‘I love you’ or ‘I forgive you’ and sometime we have to say those things to ourselves. I don’t believe you can over use either of them.
Living life to the fullest to me means to not take anything for granted, even the little things. I try each day to embrace the positives, to hopefully out shine the negatives. It’s hard but when I smile at a stranger and their face lights up and they smiles back, sometimes that justs enough to know that I’m helping someone. I could ramble on and on but I just feel like the little things needs to be recognized to outshine all the big stressors in our lives.
To me, it means making each day count. I’m not always great at that. Sometimes I’m living for the weekend, the end of the 2WW, that girls night. It’s studying God’s word, catching up with friends, family & the husband, & even posts like this, that remind me that living a full life is just that.
Living a full life to me means going out of your way to make others happy. To always see the good in others, and realizing that everyone has struggles of their own. Knowing that you are not the one to point fingers. No one is. And that by seeing another smiling face because of something you did, makes the benefits so much sweeter.
I wish I really knew what it means to live life to the fullest! I know it involves putting God first, loving my family, loving my friends.
Currently living life to the fullest is remember that things come in seasons and that this season is only for a short time. Reminding myself that today I will live in the joy of newborn girl nursing sessions and 2 year old boy lego building!
To me, living a full life is about being the best disciple of Jesus I can be, and then turning around and leading by His example.
Living a full life is making a wonderful place for my husband and daughter (and baby girl #2) that is full of love and life. It’s being able to give to those around me and trying to see the good in everyday life.
Living a full life to me revolves around appreciation. Appreciation for all that I have, and all that I don’t have. Knowing that living a full life is living a life that may not be perfect, but is perfect enough for me.
Living a full life to me is living every moment to the best of my ability. I do not need to be able to take on the world everyday. My abilities may be really good somedays and not so good others, but that’s alright.
Beautiful post.
This is actually what I’m most struggling with– defining and having a full life amid the uncertainty and turbulent times of the past month.
Right now, living a full life means having time to be still; learning about how to step into the role of stepmother potentially while loving thegirls as much as I can and doing everything I’m capable of to pour goodness, love and confidence into them without overstepping nor losing heart because I will never be allowed into the “mommy club”; loving their father and encouraging and supporting him as he tackles his biggest dreams and biggest obstacles; loving the Lord and serving while I wait to see what exactly he is calling me into; laughing and celebrating with friends while also holding their hand through nervousness, fear, and sadness; it’s knowing when I go to bed that I have done everything in my power to live each moment and that I’m doing all I can to live a life that demands every bit of goodness and greatness I’m capable of.
Living a full life means to me:
Understanding that saying “I do” doesn’t just mean only that summer day in June, but that I do every single day.
Doing all I can do be the best momma I can be for these beautiful twin girls who will be born to us this summer.
Following through on my resolution to stop being my own worst critic and to understand that I am a work in progress.
Create the environment in my home and my work where kindness is a virtue.
Living a full life means that I make goals and strive to reach them, but enjoy the journey along the way and in the end it’s all about the journey, not the destination. Cliche, yes.
I love that plate!
Living a full life means making the most out of everyday. Being grateful for the people and things that I have.
Living a full life means enjoying the ride, yes things might not always go the way I hoped or planned, but it’s enjoying the ride that matters.
To me, living a full life means focusing on family first and work second. It means reading a board book as many times as my son wants, even if dinner will be a bit late, because he is only this little once. It means taking every chance to walk outside in the sunshine and play in the park, even though chores will need to be pushed back again. It’s making sure every moment possible has meaning.
Living a full life means loving those around me and myself as best that I can. What a great post, thanks!
Watching the sunset – I call it “listening to the sun go down” is one of my favorite ways to live a full life. (p.s. LOVE the meandering douchebag!)
I have been saving this post (after reading it) for days. Everything about it just makes my heart all warm and fuzzy.
I love this post! Living to the fullest, for me, means making my home available to friends when I know the hospitality won’t be perfect, but being warm and welcoming nonetheless. It means going for an ocean walk in the rain. It means stopping to watch the birds running from the waves.