{inspired'11}: Day 3 - One Thing I Have Always Wanted to Do....

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{Prompt Response}

l {What is one thing you have always wanted to do but haven't?} l

To be honest this was a very difficult question for me to answer. You see, if I were to die tomorrow (God forbid) there wouldn’t be anything that I would say, “Boy, I wish I would have really gone here or I wish I would have really done this…” That just doesn’t go through my mind right now.

Sure, I would like to do more traveling – but I have already been blessed with some great travel opportunities. Sure, I would someday like to take an art class with one of my children just for the heck of it but that isn’t a “deal breaker” in life for me.

For me, it isn’t about the “thing” I am doing - it is about the “someone(s)” I am doing it with, the time I get to spend with them, and the memories that I get to create. So, to be very honest, it doesn’t matter if we are curled up for a movie or learning underwater basket weaving – it is just good and that is what my heart desires.  

To see my previous responses check below:

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{inspired'11}: Day 2 - What is my highlight of 2011?

{inspired'11}


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{My Prompt Response}


l {What was the highlight of your 2011 and why was it so great?} l

I am not going to lie…. 2011 has been a very hard year for our family. I think I can comfortably say that it has been the hardest year in fact. However, on a rainy day it is impossible to miss the rainbow that God so beautifully displays for us all to see. It serves as a constant reminder of his promise that indeed everything will be okay.

As I battled this year for the most basic thing….to live…. I too could not miss the MANY rainbows that God placed before me. To pick just one highlight for 2011 would be impossible. I think that 2011, in fact, was the highlight itself - perhaps the highlight of my entire existence here on earth thus far.

The ministry that God personally completed in my own heart was astounding. I find myself more focused than ever. I find myself knowing exactly what God has called me to do. I find myself with a certainty of what my purpose is in this world. I find myself with sheer and defining convictions that are no longer muddied by the world’s expectations.

I also watched amazing things happen within my family. I watched my boys bond to an even greater level. I watched them mature and grow in their own faith. I had the privilege of a front row seat as God extended their wisdom, grace, and love. I watched how they helped take care of one another and how they doddled over their baby sister. I guarantee there is no greater joy in this mother’s heart than to witness these changes in her own children.

Yes, things were so hard. They were beyond words hard. I remember telling Jason that I could really imagine what dying felt like because I hurt that bad. I am beyond grateful to God for giving me the will to live for without that I would have given up long ago.

I remember feeling such elated joy as I finished chemo and then even more so upon finishing radiation. It was like I could finally exhale the breath I had been holding for 9 months and say – It. Is. Finished. I also quickly realized that I would have never felt that ecstatic joy if I wouldn’t have gone through the trial itself.

What was your highlight of 2011?

You can post your comments below (even anonymously) or you can email them to me at andreagressman (at) gmail.com  

To view the other {inspired'11} prompts check below:

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