christianity

Welcome to Living My Full Life

Well, I finally did it. I bought a domain for my blog! Allie’s Life is now Living My Full Life.

I’ve been wanting to make my blog a “.com” for years, and I’m glad I finally took the plunge. My old web address (allieksmith) had my maiden name in it, so it was definitely time for a switch since I haven’t been a Smith for almost three years now.

How has it almost been three years since our wedding?!

Aside from the new name, things shouldn’t look too different around here. I plan on keeping my content the same–you know, pretty much whatever randomness pops into my brain and life 😉

I absolutely adore having this space to share and connect with friends from around the world. I have been so blessed by the connections I’ve made with others via blogging.

So, where did the new name come from? It came from one of my favorite scriptures.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10

Those words were spoken by Jesus to Pharisees as he explained who he was. I was inspired to name my blog Living My Full Life because I want to do just that–live life to the full for Jesus.

I want to do whatever God has for me to do, and live the live He has given me to the full. My blog should reflect and document that, as I hope it has since day one!

So, without further ado welcome to Living My Full Life!

Love All. Please One.

Something I’ve been thinking about lately is people pleasing. I’ve long known that I naturally have a people pleasing personality. I just really, really like to make others happy. That in and of itself isn’t a bad quality. When it competes with doing God’s will, it then becomes a problem.

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Doing the right thing in God’s eyes often means upsetting someone. Saying no to someone or something in order to say yes to God often means upsetting someone. Pleasing God instead of people often means upsetting someone.

The thing is, as a Christian, I am called to love others. There is a distinct difference between people pleasing and loving, though.

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I am to love all, but I am only to please One. The One I am to please is God. Period. Thank goodness for that! Imagine if we had to please God and man. That would be exhausting. I know this because I try to do it all the time.

When I find myself upset at not being able to please everyone, or sad that someone is mad at me for doing the right thing in God’s eyes, I have to stop and remind myself that I am to love all, but please One.

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When I feel that familiar tug of people pleasing that leaves me feeling anxious and weary, I take a moment to remember Who I am to please. That allows me to love those around me, and helps me recognize my priorities and goal in life.

There is so much freedom in that.