Reflecting on the Last Decade

Today is the last Sunday of 2019 and the last Sunday of another decade. So much has happened in these last 10 years, but so much has stayed the same - like having the same job and house. I've had  adventures and heartaches, happy and sad memories, good and poor health...

I've had 3 or 4 different cell phones, bought a car, updated the floors in my house, argued with teenagers, traveled with work, met dozens of people I now call friends, took a dream vacation to Hawaii, attended concerts, bought a bicycle, helped kids with homework, joined a class at church, watched my son graduate high school, watched my daughter earn a black belt in karate, learned how to do needle tatting, lost 30 lbs, let my hair get long again, started a blog to help me work through daily life, volunteered with Backpack Love, and yet...

I still hate to cook, wish I had a good exercise regimen, wish I would eat healthier, wish I could retire and do the vast number of projects I have in my head, wish I knew how to restore an old truck, wish I could read more (even though I read more than most people), wish I had a getaway house at the beach...

Life isn't about perfection. It's not about getting ahead of others. It's not about getting stuff or going places. Life is about relationships with people and acknowledging God so He will direct my path. 

Colossians 1:9-11 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power for all patience and longsuffering with joy;

Christmas Busy

It began last Sunday, hence the reason I had no post. After church my Bible study class got together for lunch, gifts and a hilarious Bible trivia game. Wednesday, my BFF and I attended the Michael W Smith/Marc Martel Christmas Concert with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Thursday brought the office party with hot chocolate, a baby shower and lunch. Saturday I attended Christmas party with the group from the Sonflower Ministries retreat that I participated in last month, as well as a Christmas presentation at a local church. Now, I'm just a couple of hours away from going to another Christmas gathering. 

I'm still not finished with gifts for my family, but I'm not feeling stressed about it either. I'm not attempting to outdo last year, mainly because I don't even recall what I gifted them with last year. I suppose getting a little older helps with that! :D

Even in all of the busyness, I'm trying to stay focused on the reason for the season. I'm thinking about the birth of Christ and the fact that neither Jesus nor his parents received gifts upon His birth. Instead He was God's gift for us. The shepherds who got to see him first had no gifts, but instead made his birth widely known. They were messengers just as we should be. 

Luke 2:10-11,16-17 Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord...And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 

Giving Thanks

Have you ever made a list of what you are thankful for? I'm not sure that I have, but I'm willing to give it a try. Here is an incomplete list of things I enjoy, in no particular order. 

I am thankful for Jesus, family, good health, living in the US, friends, home, car, photos, sunshine, rain, crafts, books, church, Bible, plants, Christmas, work, washing machine, bicycles, music, sweet tea, BBQ, snow, math, indoor plumbing, doctors, vacations, Hallmark movies, UGA football, chocolate, hammocks, swings, campfires, Christmas lights, adventures, sweaters, jeans, sand, warm breezes, hugs, laughter, neighbors, hot water, radios, Cracker Jacks, fuzzy socks, streams, trees, garage door openers, rings, ocean waves, travel, and the list continues.

Some are necessities, some are joys, some are gifts, all are from God. 

Romans 11:36 For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.