Eating Fuzzy Peaches

Today, I have been thinking about Life. Abundant Life.

When I think of living abundantly, I remember eating a peach for the first time. It was when we came back to the South, me experiencing Southern-ness for the first time. My momma had my dad stop at a roadside stand to buy delicious Georgia peaches on our way from Virginia to Mississippi.

She washed them off and then just ate one without cutting it up.

When she offered one to me, I found a new love in life. The fruit was still warm from being in the sun. I found the peach to be one of a kind with its soft, velvety skin. “Just bite into it,” Momma had said. I did, and the sweet juices caressed my delighted tongue and poured down my chin and onto Jo the front of my shirt. And it was okay to make a mess.

Since then, there have been so many abundant adventures in everyday life that God has given me to enjoy. You know - the kind that could make messes, the kinds that are silly but full

of joy. And I make it one of my goals to still participate in these shenanigans, maybe not one of my top goals, but to enjoy them nonetheless.

We know there is a difference between the physical world and the spiritual, unseen world. But sometimes, there seems to be a discrepancy between spiritual and secular things. In other words, it appears that a chasm exists between the two. “Seems to be” is a curious phrase to me. Others have taught us to stay away from certain things and to order our lives in such a way as to only walk in the spiritual. I’m not talking about sin here and staying far from known temptation. I’m thinking about everyday life and its abundance, its enjoyment.

I completely and wholeheartedly aim to be filled daily with the Holy Spirit and to walk in His will. I don’t see a massive line that would keep me far away from enjoying the wonder of life in its abundance.

I want to dig in the dirt and plant flowers. I want to strap on a pack and hike in deep, mysterious woods. I want to read book after book with my grandchildren in my lap. I want to cuddle with my dog - on my couch, even. I want to read novels all day if it’s pouring rain outside. I want to drink wine while I cook and dance to jazz music. I want to eat banana sandwiches and wade in the surf at sunset. I want to chat with homeless people downtown and hear their stories. I want to play and worship with the preschoolers at church. I want to live a life of passion, love, and connection. I want to connect with God and my family and the beautiful ones He places in my path. This. This is what I see and what I want - The abundant life, full of fuzzy peaches.

He is with us in the spectacular and the mundane, in the sweetness of life, in the suffering and joy. He is with us, lives life in us, and communes with us in all things.

“I have come that they might have life and have it more abundantly.” ~John 10:10

When was the last time you were overwhelmed by God's incredible love and His presence in your life? I hope and pray that it is today.

Look around at your life -

today, yesterday, last week -

how have you been blessed with abundance?