Just closed one year and opened the new with dear old friends....
Of course there was much laughter, silliness, and and yes, tears. It was soul nourishing. When I kissed them good bye this morning I was reminded of the old saying, "Friends are the family we choose for ourselves". This is simple truth. Hopefully that chosen family lifts you up, shows you love and is vulnerable enough to share life's ups and downs. That's when life is the richest.
As I closed the door my mind went to the LIST standing watch in the kitchen. The itemization of the demands on my time....and I did what goes against my personality....I took a long soak. I drank in the words of my new devotional by Ann Voskamp.
And the words that jumped out to me on the page were this:
"How do I WAKE UP to JOY and GRACE and BEAUTY and all that is the FULLEST LIFE when I must stay NUMB to losses and crushed DREAMS and all that empties me out?" (Emphasis mine)
Yes, how? As I continued to gobble up the words, she pointed out, the simple truth. Grace. Which means free...ready...FAVOR.
I have a choice, to choose grace, forgiveness, from Jesus, and also from myself. For the past, and for the future. As a friend of mine shared with me one time, life is about "imperfect progress".
So as I watch 2012 sail away, and 2013 dock in life's moments, I want to choose GRACE. To wake up to JOY. To let go of the numbing past and cling to the cross, to grace.
This doesn't mean that there isn't loss to be grieved, or lack of JOY while in the grief. This means, being present. One of the biggest challenges in this world we live in.
So here is to GRACE and JOY!
Thought I'd share a few favorite moments from 2012. There are too many to choose from!
 |
| 15 years with my Love |
 |
| One of our favorite places is the beach |
 |
| My littlest Wee One |
 |
| TRUE JOY |
 |
| It just doesn't get much better! |
 |
| Amazing how simple little chic's make for some happy moments. |
 |
| We all have bed head, but this photo makes me happy ever time! |
 |
| My man and his sidekick :) |
Ahh, precious 2012 memories. I have many with you, & your lovely family that I will always hold dear. Here's to many more for all of us, together or apart this new 2013. (Good job on the long soak! I'll have to try that sometime!)
ReplyDeleteYes, you are a part of many happy memories. Thanks for reading Jen, love you!
ReplyDeleteLoved all the photos you shared...especially the "bed head" one! So thankful for the precious friends like you the Lord has put in my life, the ones we can open up with and be our truest selves with, both the good and the not so good sides of ourselves. So glad you got to spend time with precious friends! There is nothing in this world that compares to God's amazing grace and the joy that He fills us with!
ReplyDelete