My sister’s mother-in-law has a fascination with those “Life Is Good” shirts. Like to the point where Katy knows for a solid fact that she’ll receive one for either her birthday or Christmas (or both) every single year. They’re pretty cute. With a memorable saying or a cute little stick figure guy kayaking or something.
Ask Katy. She has all of them.
Anyway, I have one of those Life Is Good shirts too. It’s green and it’s got holes in it – I believe there’s a stick guy roasting marshmallows over a fire on the front. I wore it the other day to paint the trim in our new house. <- I owe you all an update. As I was painting, a huge glob of white paint somehow got on the shirt. (The term “somehow” implies that I have no idea how that could possibly have happened, when in reality, I know exactly how it happened. I’m a turd when it comes to painting. I find it in my hair, on the inside (!?!?) of my pants, and rolling down my Life Is Good shirt.)
As the paint rolled down that stick guy, I couldn’t help but smile. Yes, at my turd-dom, but also at the fact that life, is indeed, very good.
You might be going through something horrible right now. You might have cancer or you might have just had a miscarriage. You might being going through a divorce or have just lost your job.
But as I read The Word, I see a consistent theme in it all.
LIFE IS GOOD.
And when it’s not, it still is.
Because we truly have SO MUCH to be thankful for.
It is during the hardships that we come to lean not on ourselves, but on others and God. We become weak so that we may become strong.
2 Corinthians 12:10
10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Even if you don’t believe in God (and I hope you do!) or have a great relationship with Him (and I hope you do!), I think you’ll agree with me when I say that WE ARE BLESSED. We have so much. So much love and money and food and luxuries that many don’t have. The shear fact that you’re reading this blog means that you’ve got a computer (or access to one), which also means that you’re richer than 95% of the world.
Even when life is bad or you’re having crappy day, it could always be worse.
I have FAITH in something much greater than myself. I have faith that food will be provided. That my car will continue to run. That I’ll remain healthy.
And I also have FAITH that if I was struck down with something horrible, something that could defeat me, that I will never be forsaken. That even if my life was taken, I’m ok, because I’ve got God. Life becomes a whole lot easier to live (and truly LIVE) when you have that FAITH.
That unshakeable feeling that everything will inevitably be alright. A solid Rock.
We are blessed, my friends.
Life is good grand! The t-shirt says it all.
QUESTION: How is YOUR life good? I hope you have a BLESSED weekend! I’m off to live this very good life – See you Monday!
splendid…lindsay
One of my most favorite scriptures! I was JUST thinking about gratitude yesterday. I was thinking of how far I’ve come financially over the last several years. I am by NO means rich, but I am very grateful that I have a solid roof over my head (that I picked out and paid for), a reliable car, bills I can afford, and still have the ability to go out on a whim and plop down X amount of dollars for whatever tickles my fancy at the grocery store (because let’s face it, that’s where the bulk of my cash goes anyway!). I have ALL of that and I’m only 27 years old! My parents tell me stories of how hard they had it early on in their marriage. How they had milk crates serving as living room furniture for months…and they had a BABY at the time! I can’t even imagine. And for that, I am SO grateful!
beautiful post girl!! love ya and love seeing all these beautiful photos of life ;)
I love this post! Thank you for sharing!
My life is good in so many ways! I have my wonderful husband and our lovely daughter. I have a great cat. I have a home that keeps me warm and dry. I have food to eat. I am healthy. I’ve lived through many things that could have killed me. I have Jesus. I love the city I live in – I feel surrounded by like minded people. I thoroughly enjoy the talents God has given me, especially in math. The earth is so beautiful – I’m glad I can see it, touch it, taste it, smell it, experience it.
Gratitude is always a good thing to be reminded of! And as for those life is good shirts? My husband LOVES them. My mom buys him one every Christmas and he wears them more than he should admit :)
I love your appreciation of God’s blessings, Lindsay! My life is grand because I’m married to the love of my life, I have the best family and friends, I have my health, a job, a house, and lots of laughter in my every day. Have a great weekend, friend!
What a great reminder! Thanks. This reminds me of a quote from A Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp, “God is always good and I am always loved.” I have to repeat that to myself in moments where I forget His grace.
Thank you for this much needed reminder. I have something to share with you. Get a tissue. You might need one.
I didn’t write it. But its wonderful. And I totally think you’ll see the blessings in it.
http://www.christinaahmann.com/?page_id=1466
Thank you for this reminder! We are so blessed. I don’t always feel that way going through life’s trials, but can look back and see how God has used them in my life. Enjoy your weekend, my friend!
We are absolutely on the same wavelength my dear — I just posted about beliefs and faith today and LOVED your post on a similar topic. Faith is a beautiful thing. So is love — which is ALL I see in these pictures of your family, I LOVE it so much!! Happy weekend my dear, xo!
I know that life is good, and I am overly blessed, even when I’m running that darn marathon through the Frankenstorm on Sunday. At least I can run, even when I have to walk! Have a great weekend!
Needed. this.
Life is good – more than that, it’s God who is good. So even when life’s bad, He is the constant who remains good. :) Love your pictures and illustrations of this in your own life – this is so true in my own as well! Love you Linds – have a wonderful weekend,
Bonnie
Such a perfect post Lindsay! I love this! No matter what you are going through you always got to see the positive in life, as there is always a positive no matter what the negatives may be! You said it girl, life is grand!!! :)
Beautiful post, Lindsay – I couldn’t agree with you more. I like to remind myself daily that no matter how hard things seem or feel, my life is truly blessed.
PS: The pictures of your kids are AWESOME! Makes me want a second kid so, so bad!
All about Perspective! Life is good and our blessings are abundant! Great post, Lindsay!
When I was deciding what to call my blog, this came into play. See, my Dad loves those shirts and wears them a lot. And I always loved them too. And then I thought of this song by Audio Adrenaline that’s called “This is the good life.” I though the Good Life was too much like the shirts and so I thought…”The Sweet Life” because my life is sweet — everything about it. So that is the origin of “The Sweet Life.” Thanks for another uplifting post! :)
I have been going through a lot of emotional/mental/life quandaries lately, but I keep having to say, “I am so lucky in all these other ways…” and remind myself that just because I am struggling with one or more decisions in other ways, I have so much to be thankful for!
Life is good because I have a wonderful husband who loves me and all of my never ending list of flaws. Life is good because I am never more than a phone call away from people who can instantly make me feel better. Life is good because I am healthy, well-taken care of, and learning to see the beauty in myself.
You have been a blessing and an inspiration this week. Thank you! Enjoy your weekend with your beautiful family!
i love that statement “even when it’s not, it is.” i think back to our miscarriage and a couple of lost jobs and panic-sticken arguments about money and time and i just SEE how blessed we are. not only because we have so many great things, but because we have Jesus. i love this verse from ‘Amazing Grace’
The Lord has promised good to me,
His word my hope endures,
He will be shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.
when i was pregnant with Wes i sang the entire song to him every morning and every night, but that verse i always felt was special to me. i was so scared i was going to lose Wes to miscarriage too, but that verse always reminded me that no matter what God is enough. He is good and he is enough.
Amen Sister! Life is GOOD and always can be!!
Thank you. That’s all I can say…. just… Thank you.
oh my, those pictures of Henry and Clara are TOO MUCH!! Too much cuteness for one post. You are absolutely right – life IS good even when it’s not. I just had a little reminder of that this morning.
I needed this today :). Have a great weekend!
Oops, I didn’t mean to post twice :).
I need this today :). Have a great weekend!
Life is SO SO SO good! Even on the worst days I remember just how blessed I am. Thanks for sharing girl!
yeahhh happy friday thoughts!!! It’s so true and no matter what health battles i”ve had in the last year, I always come back to this. In the end I am so blessed and so grateful.
Great post for this Friday morning!
Life is good because even though my boyfriend is moving for work its only an hour away. For that I will be forever thankful.
Just the post I needed! Life is grand because I have a wonderful family and home. Its been a rough couple weeks, but I find when I lean on Him for comfort, it goes more smoothly–it can be so hard to let go of trying to control everything;-) I know its Him thats in control and whatever crazy stuff comes my way I know God’s plan for me is way better/exciting/fulfilling than anything I could ‘plan out’ myself.
I’m sore and tired… And I’m so thankful that I am physically able to do this. Life is indeed good. Have a fabulous weekend, my friend!
“LIFE IS GOOD.
And when it’s not, it still is.”
So true, and sooo important to remember during those tougher times :) Nice post!!!
beautiful post, and just reminder I needed today after a tough week. enjoy your weekend girl!
This is a great post! It’s so important to remember that yes indeed “Life is GOOD, even when it’s not” Sometimes you lose perspective on this with so many things in life going on! Today I feel blessed and think my life is good because I have an amazing fiance and wonderful friends!! Looking forward to spending this weekend with them! :)
Great post brimming with positivity for a Friday morning! :) Just found your blog via a link that Julie posted! I shall be back!
Love this post! What a great inspiration to be thankful for every moment we are living and every smile we come across each and every day! Thank you for the reminder of just how good life is!
those life is good shirts ALWAYS make me smile because they remind me of my mom. she loves them and i’ll never forget glacing over at her sitting on the couch at my parents’ house. she was smiling, missing all of her hair due to chemotherapy and wearing a “life is good” shirt. it was quite an image and her optimism inspires me every day. life really is so, so good, and, like you said, even when it isn’t, it still is. some days are just harder than others. i loved this post, lindsay!
Life is good because it is a gift. The good, the bad, the everything. I love how Paul teaches us to be content in every situation. i try not to forget that!
a blogger left this comment (quote) on my site the other day, i kinda think it works here too. And i love it!
“Enjoy the little things, for one day you make look back and realize they were the big things.” A. Moore
Great post! It’s so easy to get down on life when things aren’t going your way. I’ve had some trying days lately, and I just have to remember that God makes everything work together for His good – and remembering with that promise, that He also promises to have plans for my life which are good and prosperous. Ugh, so hard sometimes! Scripture helps! :)
Scripture is the foundation! Here’s one that might lift you up –
2 Timothy 3:16-17 – All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
I pray for you every single day. By name. :)
Great post! I was having a bad day yesterday and whenever I’m feeling anxious or upset I stop and make a list of everything I’m thankful for!
that’s a wonderful idea! i’m gonna start doing it!
Life is good because I know Jesus and He loves me. Life is good because I shared laughter with my daughter last night and she is sleeping peacefully in a warm house. Life is good because I am sore from Tina’s Best Body Bootcamp. Life is good because happiness is a choice, and at any moment my heart can be filled with joy. Yes, it truly is splendid. Thank you Lindsay!
Agreed. Life is good and sometimes we need to take a moment to remember that and laugh at ourselves as we spill paint on our tshirts (or for me a workout tank top AND my hair). ;)
Great post and very timely
Life is good. SO good! And I have to say that even when it stinks, those times you are still loved and being more fiercely drawn to the One who loves like no other. What can be better than being close to Him? Absolutamente nada.
Life is good today because I have so many work hours that I’m overwhelmed — but that means that I’m living in comfort with bills paid, food on my table, and not in want for anything.
Life is good today because the exhaustion I feel is due to the fact that I stayed exchanging heartfelt words and smiles with a boy that I’m coming to like very, very much, and I couldn’t be happier.
Life is good today because I woke up re-affirming my commitment to my ED recovery and am taking the night of training to take care of myself.
Thank you Linds, I needed this today! :)