A smile sits on my face and I'm not quite sure why except that with the stroke of the clock comes a fresh sense of DAY 1.... I am not in New York City or even surrounded by friends or most of my family, but I am completely aware that my FATHER loves me and has a plan for my life, Josh's life, and my kids' lives.
There are small fireworks displays going off throughout my neighborhood; reminders that most of us don't have a lot of financial wealth but we do have more than so many others around the world. Our home may not be show quality or our cars built in the last decade, but what we do have is more than enough.
I don't have my husband to kiss tonight, but I know that he is right were he should be....praying with and having fun with our church kids. My kids aren't awake to "ring in the new year" with me, but they are cuddled up in blankets laying at my feet. That's pretty special if you ask me.
There was no party to attend and no reason to even take a shower for that matter today, however, I accomplished a lot around the house and with the kids in school and that's more rewarding than getting all dolled up to have a night on the town. Not that I even know what that is considering I've only stayed up past 1 AM a handful of times in my life. :-)
I have $12 in my checking account but my bills are paid and I the promise of another check coming this Friday; but if it didn't come I know that my heavenly Father would take care of me. There have been times that I have stressed about money, but I've come to the realization that having little or much doesn't change your worth.
There hasn't been anything "BIG" that has happened in 2008 per say. No babies or buying a home or finding out that someone you love has a disease you have no idea how to manage....no ministry changes, no death or lose, no great victories to speak of.....but what I can say is that my babies are healthy and growing up every day and that at least I have a home when so many are losing theirs and that my husband has felt better than he has in 5 years and I feel like I have the man I married back again after an absence due to fear and side effects of medication. I can say that although our church hasn't grown by much, I know that there are little boys and girls that will always remember that I took time to care for them and teach them about Jesus. Hopefully someday they'll do the same for others. I can say that there are teenagers who know Josh believes in them when most other people don't. I can say that I have sisters who I love and I believe are realizing God's will for their lives although they may not say it to others. I have a mom and dad that support me and love me and are always there for me. I have friends that God has put in my life that "stick closer that a brother".
Is everything perfect? No, nothing ever is, but that doesn't mean it's not good. I have yelled at my children this year when they didn't listen for the 10th time. I have been frustrated and treated my husband poorly when I shouldn't have. I haven't told my sisters enough that I love them and can't imagine how boring life would have been without them. I haven't spend quality time EVERY day with my Savior and Lord...the One who died to take away all my wrongs and offer my eternal life. But for all the wrongs and all the mishaps, there is one promise - tomorrow will come - tomorrow is here. 2009 will be what I make it! Whether the economy is good or bad, gas prices rise or fall, or God forbid a tragity comes across my path, I will say, "That whatsoever state I am in I (am learning) to be content."
Hug those you love tighter today, smile wider, teach more passionately, share more openly, love deeper, pray longer, sing louder, dream bigger, speak softer, cherish everything....may God bless us all as we seek and serve Him in 2009!
No comments:
Post a Comment