Sip And Savor

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Posted by Kim Stanley, June 28, 2023

I was talking with a dear friend of mine who took a long vacation to Italy recently with her husband. They had waited a long time for this trip, and it proved to be all that they hoped for and more. As she described the sights, the food, and the people, I found myself yearning for this La Dolce Vita, the sweet life.

Can we move there? While that is not likely to happen, what is it in this culture that is so attractive, it had me suddenly looking up Italian villas by the sea.

The food, yes! The food. Visions of a large table set al fresco, full of smiling faces amidst mounds of pasta bolognese, danced in my head. No one was in a rush to get somewhere else; the conversation was rich and full, like the pasta sauce; this was a scene straight from "Under the Tuscan Sun." Then after dinner, there would be a nice long walk through town, stopping to talk with all the other after-dinner strollers. Time stands still there, or at least tick-tocks slower than the minutes here where I live.

I realize that thinking too long or romanticizing about someone else's life can quickly lead to discontentment and ingratitude, hence, the social media problems of our day.

Guilty.

Yet, I did ask the Lord about it. "Is there something redemptive in this daydream, God, minus the Italian villa, of course?"

My heart skipped a beat as I sensed a "yes" in my spirit.

Without wishing my life away, I can look to and learn from other people and cultures.

I sensed that the Lord was telling me that it was ok, it was more than ok; it was good for me to slow down, to breathe in deeply, and not to keep such a tight schedule that I was just planning the next thing.

It's a good idea to enjoy a meal, lots of meals, with family and friends.

Take time to listen and connect with the people who share your table.

Don't get up to clean the dishes right away; let them sit.

Eat fresh food, it's closer to the way God made it.

Take walks.

Smile, even if it feels forced.

Write the note.

Meet your neighbors in the cul-de-sac after dinner.

Sit on your front porch.

Sip and savor

the moments

the people

the stories

the tears

the joy

the life

God has given.

Today, as I write this, it is the summer solstice, the longest day of the year.

Tomorrow's daylight will be a few seconds shorter.

But in this La Dolce Vita that God invites us into, we can sip and savor every one of these holy moments right where we live. It's His promise to us.

"I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." John 10:10 (ESV)

Ciao!

Kim Stanley is a worship leader, speaker, writer, and is the worship leader for Touching Hearts Ministries. She and her husband Joe have been in itinerant worship ministry for over 30 years. She is the founder and director of One Thing Worship, a retreat ministry for women that provides sacred time and space to be still and hear the voice of God. She also co-hosts a podcast called “A Burst Of Hope” with Martha Wilson. She and Joe have been married for 40 years; they have 4 grown children, one in heaven, and 6 grandchildren. They live in the south metro Atlanta area. You can connect with Kim on her website, www.joeandkimstanley.com, and on Facebook and Instagram @onethingworship.