The Messy Middle

where grace and truth reside

  • About
  • Books
  • Blog
  • Speaking

31 reminders from Eden, Faith, Language of Eden, Learning lessons

31 Reminders from Eden: EXTRAVAGANCE

When my mom became a grandma, she made a declaration to herself, “I’m going to say yes to this grandchild when I can.” She explained that when children ask, it’s so much easier to say “no” than “yes” and often no born out of exhaustion, not a true “no, you can’t build a fire in the living room just to see what happens” kind-of-a-no.

As adults, it’s tempting to say no out of protection or weariness of being hurt. Or to say yes out of people pleasing.

Instead of saying yes when we can, we say firm no’s and mushy, guilt ladened yes’s.

We have trouble with the balance between being frivolous and too sparing. We have trouble being extravagant.

Extravagence

But look at the beauty of creation! The variety, the colors, the flavors, the shapes, the sounds!

Extravagance, extravagance, extravagance. In every nook and cranny.

There isn’t mere green, there are so many shades of green that we stop for a moment here and just think about green, our minds and souls go running around.

And tea can tasted like mint or nasty licorice or soothing English Breakfast.

A voice can display so much more than mere words.

We live in a world that either goes over-the-top and says yes to point of wastefulness or no to the point of poverty.

Eden was a land of extravagance that peeks into our world often enough to remind us this, this is how you were meant to live. If not now, in the world waiting for you.

31reminders from EdenAll the posts in the series will be added to this page each day of October. If you would like to receive these reminders in your email inbox, subscribe now. I look forward to the journey together. Amy

Where do you see extravagance in your day?

***

Reminders: Love, satisfaction, extravagance

 

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Email

Related

«
»

6 Comments October 4, 2013

About Amy

My name is Amy and I live in the messy middle of life. I have been Redeemed from permanent muck and live with the tension of the Already and Not Yet.

Comments

  1. Shelly Miller says

    October 4, 2013 at 6:39 am

    I love thinking about extravagence in areas like gratitude and generosity, you can never have too much of that can you? What a great analogy of extravagence in the colors God creates. Inspired this morning, thanks.

    Reply
    • Amy says

      October 4, 2013 at 4:36 pm

      Shelly, Thanks for the reminder of extravagance in areas like gratitude and generosity … those never get old!

      Reply
  2. Martha Lester says

    October 4, 2013 at 8:47 am

    Amy,
    I am so reminded of extravagance by you and Shelly when we all lived in Chengdu together. You loved our children, mentored them really. And one day close to Christmas you said, “My dad sent me some China Mad Money, so let’s all go to the JingJiang Hotel and get Christmas Day or was it New Year’s Day brunch with my China Mad Money.” And so we did- and it was a wonderful, colorful, extravagant kind of special moment in the constant gray of a Chengdu winter.
    Cheers to extravagance!
    Martha

    Reply
    • Amy says

      October 4, 2013 at 4:37 pm

      Martha, What memories! I also remember how generous you and Pete were in sharing your three with our small group, not just Shelley and me. Your joy is an example of extravagance to me :)

      Reply
  3. Christy J says

    October 4, 2013 at 5:17 pm

    I love the extravagance of diversity within God’s creation. I see it every day in the wonderful miracle of the unique individuals that I teach. All are created in the image of God, but there is so much beauty in their individual talents, personalities, and characters. How wonderful to see the multifaceted beauty of God in the people around us!

    Reply
    • Amy says

      October 5, 2013 at 9:26 am

      Isn’t that a powerful reminder — yes, yes, in the people all around us!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Meet Amy Young

My name is Amy and I live in the messy middle of life. I have been Redeemed from permanent muck and live with the tension of the Already and Not Yet. Read More…

Social

  • View themessymiddle’s profile on Facebook
  • View the_amy_young’s profile on Twitter
  • View amy_young1234’s profile on Instagram
  • View messymiddleamy’s profile on Pinterest
ADD TO FEED READER | CONTACT

welcome, here we

Don't have to choose between extremes. You can embrace life's Messy Middle.

recent posts

  • Becoming More Fruitful is published :)
  • Summer Reading Challenge 2022 is Finished
  • You’re invited to a launch party!
  • Summer Reading Challenge 2022 is here!
  • Top 14 Books of 2021
  • What my book group read in 2021

Archives

meet amy young

My name is Amy and I live in the messy middle of life. I have been Redeemed from permanent muck and live with the tension of the Already and Not Yet. Read More…

explore

  • About
  • Books
  • Blog
  • Speaking

get updates

Copyright © 2023 Amy Young · Customized by A Sacred Journey

{This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Learn more.}