How is it possible that another year has gone by? I guess it slips by one day at a time just as it always has, but the days seem to be busier and fuller every year which makes them seem a blur sometimes. This time of year always makes me nostalgic for many reasons. The memories of people no longer with us that make this time of year bittersweet for me are also good motivation to appreciate each day I am given and the people I spend my days with because we just never know what the next year will bring.
It's a little sad to me that time goes by so quickly and there is no way to slow it down - my kids are now closer to being adults than little kids and it happened in what feels like a blink of the eye. It didn't feel like it at the time, but looking back, it has gone so, so very quickly, and while I love this stage and seeing who they are becoming, I do miss those younger days when it felt like they were going to stay little forever. I guess the best I can do is to make a conscious effort to enjoy the little things and savor each day with them. This will be one of my biggest challenges in the busyness that makes up our every day lives.
I don't usually do the New Year's resolution thing, but this year I actually did make a list - a written list, no less. I won't bore you with putting it all here, but there were many specific things having to do with making God and others a priority, using my time as wisely as possible, and learning/becoming more healthy in our lifestyle choices. Basically being a good steward of all the blessings God has given me. I'm quite sure not all of these will be successful, but at least I feel like I will be headed in the direction I'm supposed to go if I am at least trying to accomplish them. It's not going to be easy, especially in the areas where my family isn't necessarily on the same page with me...I'm praying about how to handle that when it creates issues, as it already has and probably will again. One in particular I am expecting to be a challenge to many of my plans, which just means God will have His work cut out for Him if He wants me to actually accomplish them. As much as I want to follow my convictions, I also have to live with these people and show them respect and honor, so I am going to need lots of wisdom to know what to do when the conflicts arise.
I think this year is going to stretch me more than last year. Last year was a year of reading and learning, feeling convicted and conflicted, and having my eyes opened to a lot of things I hadn't really thought about before. I want this year to be a year of action. Not that learning isn't important or that I will stop learning, but there comes a point where one realizes that all that information can only really be useful if you do something with it. God has provided many small opportunities to do so the last couple of months, but I feel like there's something bigger ahead - I just don't know what it is yet. This year is where the rubber hits the road - that whole faith without action is dead thing. So I'm baby-stepping out in faith and we'll see where God leads me. Prayers are appreciated!
Last, but certainly not least, on this New Year's Day, I need to mention that it is my dear husband's 48th birthday today. He's not big on birthdays so it's been a pretty low-key day, what with being out until after 1 a.m. last night and then him not feeling well most of the day from all the food he ate last night that we are not accustomed to eating on a regular basis and certainly not in the quantities he had (taco dip and chips, homemade corn dogs - super good, but greasy and we almost never eat hot dogs, hamburgers, ham, homemade ice cream - really rich, brownies and then spicy grilled chicken wings and Slovakian cheesecake at the second party) - you can kind of see why he might be paying for it today a little. We are actually doing his traditional birthday meals tomorrow (Pizza Hut pizza for lunch and enchiladas for dinner with an ice cream cake for dessert, just in case you were wondering) when he will actually be able to eat and enjoy them. So, happy birthday to him, and here's to many more!
No comments:
Post a Comment