As we turn the page from one year to the next I am giving thanks and living in these days fully.
This Christmas I gave myself a gift.
No expectations.
It was really nice to decorate, bake, craft, watch Christmas movies and not feel like it was a requirement. Of course I wanted to do those things but in years earlier it’s kind of a madness trying to squeeze everything in.
{Christmas fun}
{Baking together}
{Trimming the tree}
{Christmas morning}
{At a basketball game this last weekend}
Today I took one more peek over shoulder at this last year. I was encouraged that there were so many moments where I grew an ever deepening trust that God is good.
The verse that I end this year on is Isaiah 55:8.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways.
The people of Israel were trying to make God fit the mold of their plans. How often have I done this during the last year! Well God spoke these words to them and as I read them over and over I find some peace in this thought.
That God’s thoughts and mine are different and He doesn’t have to explain it. When He does give me insight I will love that but even when He doesn’t, He is still good.
* * *
As I woke up this morning I continued to remove our Christmas decorations and deep clean the house. It feels so wonderful to start with a fresh slate in our home. The next few weeks I’ll be purging and making home simple again. I love the fresh, clean lines in our house already.
I thank God that as we go into 2015 I have hope. That there is joy even where it doesn’t make sense.
This year we spent time with family. That was wonderful!
Two trips by plane and plenty of car trips to visit other family members.
I made some amazing friends who have loved me really well and who I treasure.
My little boy grew through another year.
In all kinds of ways he grew and it causes an ache but also an excitement.
I was telling my oldest sister how hard it was to put away clothes and toys that he has outgrown. I never intended for such a large gap between the children we had planned out and there are already boxes in our storage closet that make me sad. I don’t want to add more.
She offers encouragement and it leads to hope again. Not just hope for another child but hope in God’s plans.
So there’s more to tell but I think about you…
How have you grown this year? What has God allowed to touch your life? Are you growing in affection of Jesus Christ still? I’m thankful you’re here and for how you have encouraged me this year. The stories you tell me remind me of hope and it’s been a gift that you would trust me with them.
As we go into this next year I wonder what we’ll walk through and how we’ll have grown…
Until next time,
Laura