Savoir vivre!

Recently, I realized that I need more savoir vivre (sa'vwar ve're). Say what? Yeah, I need more of that stuff. Come on. Say it out loud with me: savoir vivre. Don't you love the way it sounds? So sophisticated. So se_y. So French. And it's.... No. Not lingerie. Not wine. Not cuisine. Savoir vivre is simply: knowing how to live. Like with enjoyment. Meeting every situation with poise. Good manners. And elegance. That's the word's denotative/dictionary meaning. But what shakes me up is the connotative meaning. How a word is actually used/the feelings associated with the word. The connnotation of savoir vivre? To live intentionally. So, are you beginning to see why I need some more savoir vivre? I want to know how to live. How to face all situations. How to live with intent and with purpose. Most of us have that same desire. We want joy. Grace. Elegance. In every situation. But the reality is that we often overextend ourselves. Our schedules. And our strength. In an attempt to live each moment to the max. Is it really possible to live life well? Yes, intentional living lies within our reach. If we make the right choices. Jesus Christ knew exactly what living to the full extent means. And He shows us how: "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed" (Mark 1:35). I love this verse. This picture. Of Him. The Son of Man. Son of God. Arising before daylight. Leaving everyone. Everything. Behind. Going to a place. To be alone with God, His Father. To talk. To listen. Wanting to hear His Father's voice before He heard any other. Christ's first choice was to spend time with God in prayer. Before He preached to the lost. Healed the sick. Made the blind to see. The lame to walk. Cast out demons. Forgave sins. Jesus chose His Father. What's our first choice? Do we savor the status quo of our lives too much to change? Or will we go to Him? To a solitary place. And give Him all that we've got. Our busyness. Our brokenness. Our bankrupt hearts. When we go to God, He gives us strength. Joy. Peace. Grace. He forgives us of our sins. He equips us so that we can face all situations. He transforms us through His word. That's how He teaches us to live life well. Our Savior knows the true meaning of savoir vivre! Sweet dreams, Deb