Do the Thing... Take the Picture

I was traveling recently, and my flight was scheduled to land back in Grand Rapids at 4:35 p.m. After a long week of work travel and 16-hour days, I was completely exhausted.

My brother-in-law called and asked if I wanted to meet for dinner at 5:00 to celebrate my sister's birthday. They were driving from East Lansing to Grand Rapids just for the day.

Of course I wanted to go—but I was tired. Really tired. I knew I'd been running hard all week, and I had to get up early the next morning to sing on the worship team. I almost said no.

But I didn't.

And I'm so glad.

What followed was one of those evenings that reminds you what really matters. My sisters and I, along with our husbands, shared a special night together. We celebrated my sister's birthday, reminisced about our parents who have recently passed away, laughed until our cheeks hurt, caught up on life, and simply enjoyed being together.

It was wonderful.

And I'm so grateful I didn't let exhaustion make the decision for me.

Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 says:

"I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God."

There are plenty of books, podcasts, and devotionals that remind us of the importance of saying "no." And they're right—sometimes healthy boundaries are necessary.

But there are also times when saying "yes" is exactly what your soul needs.

Book the trip.

Make the coffee date.

Stay up a little later sometimes.

Do the thing.

Take the picture. (even the silly one) 

Live while you're living.

~ Brooke