I didn't think about myself for five hours and it was blissful

This blog is the first of a two-part series unveiling the significance of the recent 4th of July weekend, 2010. It is not chronologically ordered, but begins with a situation that is astronomically, hugely important to me.

So, sparing you the details, I'll simply say that I have been reunited with some family members. 5 members, to be exact. 5 a-maz-ing members named Sheila, Mary Kate, Macey, Kylie and Chase. I haven't seen them in two years, at least any of the children. Today after a most amazing weekend, my mother brought Mary Kate and Macey up in my car to drop it off and hang out for a few hours.

I say this last statement as if it is just any other day. But, it's monumental- I've not seen these amazing young ladies in two years. How much catching up to do?! Have you ever considered how much growing goes on in two years between a 10 and 12 year old? Last time I saw them we were eating ice cream at a park, this time, comments coming from their end were filled with logic, thought, and sincerity. They're so smart! They can also do crazy gymnastic things, MK can flip any which way, and Macey can walk longer on her hands than I can my feet!


All this to say, this visit from them is exactly what I've been needing. I've needed it not only because I wanted to see them, but because something had to make me realize it's time to think about someone besides myself. There are few people that I would sincerely and honestly put before myself. That sounds selfish, but it's the ugly truth. There are few people that make me forget about myself as soon as I see them; my purpose becomes to do and be for them what they want and need. They're two of those people.

Hit me on the way back from the fro-yo place that God makes us to be an energy bar; our purpose is purely to serve. It's not to make you full, satisfied by wonderful taste, or fat/ happy. It's meant to supply you with the fuel to do BIG things; work out, run, hike. Shamefully, I live my life to serve myself leading to complete and utter dissatisfaction. I look at my life as an empty plate, NEEDING a meat and three. Notice I said "needing" and not "giving." I've made this space for "needing" so big that no amount of things can fill it. But today I became the energy bar. All I needed was just enough umph to make them happy and it was all good from there, it became all about them. And it was bliss.

So, the past five hours as an energy bar I received wonderful things. I experienced and gave pure LOVE. Sincere and pure. I was happy and it tasted better than any four course meal I could have ever worked to receive.