In review
So it's New Year's Eve. A time for reflecting on the past and looking toward the future. A time to start over.
New Year's Eve 2009 might have been ten years ago. Or maybe ten minutes ago.
So much has changed.
God is so good. There is absolutely nothing in me that deserves anything good, and yet in His great mercy He chooses to continue to give me the desires of my heart. Only God.
It would be very hard to sum all that happened this year in one word. The joy over Aden's birth. The pain of Trey's rebellion. The exhaustion of everyday life. The ongoing humility of motherhood.
But there is one word to describe how God has worked in my life.
peace
No postpartum depression. No tears. No worries over doing things right or wrong. Pure joy in new life.
peace
A rebellious child. Betrayed, hurt, sad and angry, refusing to be loved and at the same time crying out for the affection that was once his alone. Breaking the hearts of his mom and dad. And teaching them so very much about God's unconditional love.
peace
That same child's acceptance of his role as big brother, finally acknowledging a sweet little thing who just happens to think his big brother hung the moon.
peace
Watching a baby grow (and grow and grow) unhindered by health problems.
peace
Watching a very grown-up boy break away and become a preschooler. A mother's heart finally, finally, learning to let go. (At least for now.)
peace
A chubby little man whose existence allowed his Mama to lose so much of her OCD-ness. To finally realize that perfection just isn't going to happen in this life. To lose complete control (or whatever idea of control I thought I had), only to cede it to a God who is more than able.
To rely on the Lord like never before.
peace
Peace was promised all along. It took a precious baby and his equally precious big brother to teach me to embrace it.
Thank you, God
If there is one single hope for 2011, it is this:
to honor God in the little things
This is integrity. No more excuses. No more playing off seemingly insignificant sins. No more neglecting unseen responsibilities.
"Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength."
Mark 12:30
Because I am totally imperfect, I realize this is impossible for me.
"But with God all things are possible."
Matthew 19:26
Lord, grow in me the kind of faith I want my boys to have.
From our family to yours, Happy New Year!
New Year's Eve 2009 might have been ten years ago. Or maybe ten minutes ago.
So much has changed.
God is so good. There is absolutely nothing in me that deserves anything good, and yet in His great mercy He chooses to continue to give me the desires of my heart. Only God.
It would be very hard to sum all that happened this year in one word. The joy over Aden's birth. The pain of Trey's rebellion. The exhaustion of everyday life. The ongoing humility of motherhood.
But there is one word to describe how God has worked in my life.
peace
No postpartum depression. No tears. No worries over doing things right or wrong. Pure joy in new life.
peace
A rebellious child. Betrayed, hurt, sad and angry, refusing to be loved and at the same time crying out for the affection that was once his alone. Breaking the hearts of his mom and dad. And teaching them so very much about God's unconditional love.
peace
That same child's acceptance of his role as big brother, finally acknowledging a sweet little thing who just happens to think his big brother hung the moon.
peace
Watching a baby grow (and grow and grow) unhindered by health problems.
peace
Watching a very grown-up boy break away and become a preschooler. A mother's heart finally, finally, learning to let go. (At least for now.)
peace
A chubby little man whose existence allowed his Mama to lose so much of her OCD-ness. To finally realize that perfection just isn't going to happen in this life. To lose complete control (or whatever idea of control I thought I had), only to cede it to a God who is more than able.
To rely on the Lord like never before.
peace
Peace was promised all along. It took a precious baby and his equally precious big brother to teach me to embrace it.
Thank you, God
If there is one single hope for 2011, it is this:
to honor God in the little things
This is integrity. No more excuses. No more playing off seemingly insignificant sins. No more neglecting unseen responsibilities.
"Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength."
Mark 12:30
Because I am totally imperfect, I realize this is impossible for me.
"But with God all things are possible."
Matthew 19:26
Lord, grow in me the kind of faith I want my boys to have.
From our family to yours, Happy New Year!
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