This is the quote that I put on the back of our 2021 Family Album - my life has been full of blessings and exciting days and milestones and yet I believe that there is more ahead! I have been told that I am an optimistic person -- if people can see that in me, then I am who I want to be. When I first started teaching in the mid-90's there was a quote that I lived by and still do - "
Be the most positive and enthusiastic person you know". There are bad times, for sure, and HARD times. . .but there is a blessing and miracle in each day, even each hour, of our lives. I think it was
Edie Wadsworth who may have said it last week when I was listening to her New Years Eve's live message -- "I want to look for and see God's miracles every day" (not an exact quote but how I remember it).
To think that the above quote is attributed to Anne Frank gives one pause because we know that when she wrote that there weren't any "best days" ahead for her, in the sense that we understand it. . .yet she
believed. What a gift.
As I sat down to write this post I wasn't sure what I wanted it to look like. . .should it be a January "goals" list? A December wrap-up? Top Ten 2022 something but then, as I was searching for the image above, I remembered that there are lots of quotes I've pinned over the years -- maybe now is a time to gather some of my favorite together and reflect on what they mean to me.
I saw something on FaceBook yesterday (but didn't save it so I forget who posted) -- another truth along these lines -- "You can't expect to find happiness if you rely on the world for approval". It wasn't that exactly, but the sentiment was the same. . .truly, though, happiness, satisfaction, approval, love, acceptance, etc. can ONLY be found in the Lord. . .that is where I live and breathe. I really don't know how others live their lives without Him. Happiness and JOY are two different things, as a recent sermon at Two Rivers Church pointed out. I choose JOY and am thankful for the family I live life with accept that about me.
I needed this one last year. I had to look and reflect on it many times and then look at it again. It's hard to walk away from something "good" but not good for you. Since I am an optimistic person who always believes things will get better, I had to rely on those I love and trust who love me to help me with this one. Sometimes you can't see what you are in until you are out of it and can reflect back. I can see it now, in the review mirror, that the decision was a good one for me but at the time it was HARD. This is so true though. If you are on a path that is not going anywhere, not growing you or someone else, that is actually bringing you down or moving you backwards, shut the door. It's a brave and scary thing to do. I'm still living with the consequences of that decision and not in a "happy" place but it is better. I know that now.
Yes!!! There is nothing more to say about this one. . .it is my greatest wish, dream, goal. . .
My prayer for all my children. . .and a hard one. As inhabitants of this Earth we are told that "there is someone out there to fulfill us, to make us whole". That is not true. God is the only one who can fill that void but I do believe He has someone out there to walk life with you, to support you, hold you up, encourage and fight for you -- I am thankful that the Lord gave me that person here on earth. My children have now entered that season of life where they may (or may not) be looking for that person. . .my prayer is that they build those future relationships on and in the Lord, first and foremost. I once read a book or heard a podcast that reminded the audience that if you are both living/fighting with a Biblical worldview then you are on even footing -- you have ground, a Point of Truth. Without that, you are living/fighting in two different languages. So much truth.
One of my girls listens to
Sadie Robertson Huff's podcast and thought I might like it too. (1) I am glad that my girls are listening to her and being fed these principles!! (2) She has some great guests. There was a podcast last year that I sent to my bible study group ladies, it was that good. . .relatable, of course, to her audience of young adults but also relatable to us, mothers in the "next" stage.
I'm not sure how Biblical (God doesn't grant wishes -- He's not a genie) this is but it's easy to relate to and brings back where our focus should be. And to always, always pray -- keep up that conversation with our Maker.
This was told to me in many ways, in many forms, as a mother of young children. Now, as a mother of adult children I can positively say "they" were right. The things my kids remember surprise me all the time! Sure, they remember the "big" stuff, but it's the "little" stuff -- the routines, rules, support, opportunities -- that they will bring up every once in awhile. I'm so glad I was there for it, so happy that I captured a lot of it in my
Picture of the Day. It really is the ordinary things that make life extraordinary.
I will end with these last two. . .I forgot they were there (it was fun going through all these that I have pinned over the years!) and should be guiding beacons for me in 2022:
Please link or send me your quotes to add to my collection!
Happy New Year,
Jenni
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