Happy New Year!

I know, I know--the new year started about 15 days ago.  (I'm a little behind.)  I still wish you a wonderful year filled with lots of love and happiness!  Happy New Year!

Perspective

It's the last day of 2017.  I've been thinking about that statement for the past hour and it simply astounds me.  How could the last 364 days just flown by me?

I'm also thinking about my word for the year--PERSPECTIVE.  God has taught me a lot this year about this word--many lessons I would have rather avoided, but combining the bad with the good--I know these are things  I needed to learn.

Looking at all of the changes that have happened this year--boyfriend, promotion at work, moving work locations due to promotion, travel, serious debt accumulation, clutter--I'm surprised that I'm still able to lift my head.  Thankfully, by looking at each issue separately, I've been able to gain a greater perspective for life and the changes I need to make going forward.  (I'm keeping the boyfriend, but working towards getting rid of the debt and clutter.)

I know this is such a serious post for the end of the year, but since I was remiss in actually posting on how I was doing with my word this year, I figured I should give you something.

I hope you all have a wonderful new year--Full of blessings and the wonder that is life.  See you next year!

Happy 2015!

Photo taken from iStock Photo website

 Happy New Year everyone!  

I know we're almost into the second month of the new year, but I figure it's never too late to celebrate a fresh start.  That's how I feel about this posting--a fresh start.

I must apologize for my absence dear readers.  Life these last few years hit warp speed and all I felt I could do was hang on and pray I didn't get flung too far in the chaos.  

I have learned that life is relentless and that there will never be enough time to do the things that I think need to be done.  That my priorities may not necessarily be the priorities of the others around me, and that's okay.

I've learned that if I don't take the time for myself, and to do things for myself--even when others call me selfish, that I will get lost in the sea of chaos and will never be able to break free to the surface.

I did a lot of thinking in my absence.  A lot of thinking and grieving for the things I've lost.  For the things others have lost, or are losing.  

In the end, I know that I must pray and draw closer to God.  That He is the only one who will hold me close when I feel I'm being swept away by the current.  He will be the one to wipe my tears when I question-"why Me"?  He is the one to pick me up and hold me in his arms of comfort, so that I may have rest.  

After all, in Matthew 11:28-30 He says:

Matthew 11:28-30

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

I have tried to find my rest in the Lord for the past two years.  In fact, it's been my "one word."  However, the more I've been reading in the Bible, the more I'm finding that my time for rest is over.  That it's time for me to start listening for and to His voice, and to obey what He is asking, no, telling me I need to do.  And that's the part I'm most hesitant about doing.  Jumping.

Oh, I've jumped before without looking to see if there was a net, and the Lord provided a way for me to fly.  The problem is, I feel like the bird whose feathers have been clipped and can no longer soar in the breeze.

Does this mean that I don't have faith?  No, it just means that I need to re-learn how to rely on God.  After all, I'm His child, and don't we as parents (whether of the two-legged or four-legged variety) want what's best for our kids?  How is God any different?

And this is what I'm going to be focusing on this year--relying on God to direct my paths.  Will I get it right the first time?  Probably not.  But I do know that God's mercies are new every day.  I just need to remain content in Him.

Well my readers, I've probably told you more than you probably ever wanted to know.  I hope your new year is off to a great start!

I have some book reviews scheduled in the coming months, as well as a milestone challenge that I've accepted.  I also plan on having some weekly posts where you can interact with me.  Stay tuned for more regular postings and thank you for not giving up on me.

Well my readers, I've probably told you more than you probably ever wanted to know.  I hope your new year is off to a great start!

New Year Already?

Aimless.  Overwhelmed.  Disappointed.  This is how I've been feeling for the past year.  In fact, I'm still feeling this way to an extent.

Aimless.  I used to know exactly what I wanted.  What direction I was headed, and how to get there.  I worked hard and achieved at various levels.  I have no idea where to go from here.  What direction to turn, and what to expect.  I'm walking aimlessly and I don't like it.  It's an uncomfortable feeling.

Overwhelmed.  Trying to juggle my jobs, my friends, my family, and what I'd rather be doing....well, let's just say that not only my physical, but my mental health is suffering.

Disappointed.  There are way too many disappointments to name here.  Nor do I want to drag out my laundry list of issues for everyone.  Let's just say that disappointments have made me reevaluate my expectations--both of myself and of others.  Not that reevaluating is a bad thing, but it wasn't what I had planned on doing.

I've reached a decision. I've had E.N.O.U.G.H.

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Each year, most people come up with a laundry list of resolutions.  Things they want to accomplish within the year.  I stopped trying to make resolutions because I, like many others, broke them before even a month was up. 

Instead, I've been subscribing to the one word theory, that has suddenly become a "trend" out there in the real world.  Last year's word was BALANCE.  Unfortunately, it seemed like the more I tried to have balance in my life, the crazier things seemed to get.  (Hence my feelings above.)

Despite.  No, more like because of the failure of my one word last year, I've had a mini-crisis of sorts.  I'm scared hesitant to choose a new word for this year. 

I HATE failure.  Maybe it's because of my OCD, or maybe it's because of my "type-A" personality, but I hate to fail.  I'm a perfectionist to the core--even though I'm getting better at hiding it from others.

The perfectionist in me wanted to choose a new word.  Actually, not a new word, but last year's word.  Kind of like a do-over.  A mulligan, if you will.

After a lot of thought and endless prayer, I've finally reached a decision.  I AM choosing a word for the year.

After praying and praying and asking for guidance on what I should do, I was given the answer.  Several times over in fact.  In my Bible studies, emails, and even this morning during our pastor's sermon.  I figure if God thinks it's important enough for me to hear it several times, I should probably pay attention.

My word for 2013 is:

My NIV Bible says in Matthew 11:28-30:

28:  "Come to me , all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

29:  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

30:  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."  



Without getting into a complete sermon,  rest does not mean no activity.  It just means that I'm giving God the reigns.  I'm letting Him lead me.  Reread the passage again.  It specifically says "take my yoke upon you."  A yoke is what farmers use to put on the animals who are working the land.  With the yoke, they are pairing up workers (me) and the farmer (God) controls the reigns.  God also promises that things (burden) will be lighter and that my soul will find rest.

Rest sounds pretty good to me right now.  I'm exhausted.  I'm tired of trying to do everything on my own and not asking for God's help in everything.  Resting in Him sounds absolutely divine.  My soul is weary.  I don't want to carry these burdens of life on my own anymore.  Gentleness and Humbleness give me peace in my heart.  I want this year to be a year of Rest.

Do you have a "one word" for the year?  If so, I encourage you to turn it in to a #Pic4Year like I did above.  A visual daily reminder of what you want to achieve this year.

Happy New Year!

Wordless Wednesday

Welcome 2011!



I'm really glad to say good-bye to 2010--although, to be quite honest,  I think I'm always glad to see the previous year leave.  A new year is pregnant with possibilities as it begins and this year is no different.  The question is, where to start? 

Good luck this year.  I wish you all of the best!

Happy New Year!!!!!

It's hard to believe that another year has come and gone at what seems like a drop of a hat. I'm not too sad to see 2009 leave as it was a rather sad and trying year. (I'm sure it was that way for everyone.) Hopefully 2010 will be a better year for all of us as we continue on this journey called life. Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!!!!!