Wasted.

 Driving on the freeway LA is no walk in the park. Seriously, if you've ever experienced the freeways here you know they are nothing short of scary at times. Like today, when I was driving along sipping my iced tea, innocently singin' along to Carrie Underwood on the radio, when a semi truck came out of nowhere and nearly hit me. It was actually kind of a "Jesus Take The Wheel" music video moment....except, it wasn't really - because my hair was not blowing perfectly in the wind and I did not have near as much lip gloss on as Carrie. But that little heart-stopping moment made me think...the rest of the drive home.

I thought about how quickly life goes. Time moves and glides us along, swiftly moving us into ever changing seasons.

I thought about how things do not matter in the end.

I thought about how I don't want to let all these years go by, and realize I spent too much time wishing I had more things.

I thought about how life is not measured by a dollar sign in your bank accounts or the kind of car you drive.

I thought about how when I get to Heaven, and I stand face to face with Jesus - what will I have done for Him?

I am a girly girl who loves fashion, clothes, and quality things. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with loving style and beautiful things, shopping or going out to eat! All of those things are wonderful blessings. But, I've just been looking at my own heart lately, and seeing that, at times, I'm preoccupied with what I don't have. Wishing for some new item and feeling a little bit down (honestly) that I cannot have it. Comparing my car, my clothes, my fill in the blank - with someone else. Or wishing I could walk into my Pinterest style board and have full access to all my "pinned" outfits, all my longed-for vacations on my "Jet Setting Dreams" board, and all the items from my decorating board right at my finger tips! I'm not bashing Pinterest - I love it, it can be so inspiring and fun...girl, I can pin with the best of 'em! And I love the community of ideas and styles, DIY's and creative inspirations that come from it. But I just want to share with you the thoughts I pondered after my driving in LA experience today. I realized afresh -

I don't want to spend my life on things.

I want to spend my life focusing on eternity.... on what lasts forever.

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth,

where moth and rust destroy,

and where thieves break in or steal.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

-Matthew 6:19-21

  I want my treasure, my heart to be set on Heaven. And on things that will last forever and ever. Things can be taken away in a moment. Wealth can be gone in an instant. Money can be lost at the snap of a finger. Fame can be taken away in the blink of an eye. But setting your hope on Jesus? That can never be lost or stolen, nobody can touch it - and it can never fade away.

Happiness is not found in a pair of Jimmy Choos (although that high of buying 'em sure may feel like it for a while!), a Louis Vuitton bag, a trip to the Bahamas, or driving a brand spankin' new white BMW convertible off a sparkling lot of luxury cars.

It is only found in Jesus.

 I want to fall facedown at the feet of Jesus when I get to Heaven someday, not with an armful of designer clothes and a handful of cash I worked for. No, I want to fall at His feet with love, a heart of service, and a life that was spent for Him.... a life that was messy, yes. Imperfect, yes. Failing-often, yes. With a heart that cared more about Him than anything else.

"Do not let your hearts be troubled.

Trust in God, trust also in me.

In my Father's house there are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you.

And if I go and prepare a place for you,

 I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am...

I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

- John 14:1-4

There is a mansion in Heaven where He invites us to live with Him for eternity. For infinity. Forever. (can you even wrap your mind around that thought?) 

Am I going to be ready?

Our time on earth is really just a breath.

What can we do to store up treasures in Heaven?

Thinking about this tonight....

Lord, change my selfish and greedy heart and make me more like You.

Turn my eyes to eternal things, not temporary things that will spoil and fade.

I don't want to waste my life.

Think about it with me?

Love and hugs to you,

and you,

and you.