Skip to main content

Some things are different & some things are just the same!


Another year has come and gone. Its always a bit odd for me when something comes to an end. Whether I am finishing the last few pages of a journal, trying to squeeze in one more adventure at the end of vacation, or the closing moments of time shared with family and friends there is sadness and joy.

Sadness rolls over my soul as the treasured time is coming to an end YET I also feel joy as I am grateful for life, places of respite, and a bounty of family and friends. I like the way Dr. Suess and my friend Judy puts it...

Don't cry because it's over.
Smile because it happened


The first hours of this new year, we enjoyed breakfast at my parents --in the house I spent my growing up years in. I think I am still in those growing up years and will likely always be. The table is larger and now includes our own children.

Here's what I am thinking about right now... some things are different and some things are the same.

We've all grown older and look a bit different. We've each faced challenging circumstances and we've been blessed beyond words. We've laughed hard and we've cried just as hard. We've welcomed new family members and we've said goodbye to others. Life has been good, not perfect, but good.

Today, I am smiling because IT (all of it) happened.

Here's just one picture of one of the things that made me smile this year -- a trip to Milwaukee to celebrate my daughter's 18th!

Comments

  1. Anonymous2/1/11 10:31 AM

    I love this photo of you laughing, smiling right down to your eyes-- it's joyful.

    Your post has touched a thought in me I've been mulling over. I'm funny with endings; I want to skip them and launch into beginnings. I'm terrible about reflection and looking back and instead rub my hands in eager anticipation of moving forward. I tried, intentionally, this year to do a little reflection, to slow down and maybe even learn something, or appreciate what has been. It was good for me to do but difficult and not as much fun as writing goals, dreams and visions for the coming year.

    I appreciate, as usual, your thoughts and it's a good gentle nudge to remember that the past is the fabric that becomes who we are. It's good to look at the strands and weavings as we incorporate the future.

    Love and blessings, friend. Julie

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Shaking the System

Here at Grace Community Church we just finished a four week series entitled Shaking the System. If you missed any of these -- you can listen online at www.gracecc.org/sermons.html How did this weekend series stir you? What questions or concerns did it raise in your heart and mind? This past week Dave Rod gave us some ideas for personal engagement -- have you or are you planning to take any steps to personally get engaged in social justice issues?
18 comments
Read more

Good Shepherd

As you read the Bible you’ll find a variety of descriptions and metaphors for God. One of the metaphors you’ll notice is that of “shepherd.” Most of us are familiar with Psalm 23 which begins with “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want….” We’d love to invite you to think about God as your shepherd. Although it’s a stretch to imagine the full significance of this metaphor (since we suburbanites have little reference for sheep and shepherding) there is still much to be discovered about Who God is and how he relates to His sheep (oh I mean people). There are two passages of scriptures we’d love to encourage you to read. Psalm 23 and John 10:1-18. As you read these two passages, what are you discovering about Who God is and how He thinks about you? Meditate on this Verse I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me… John 10:14 Go to God Father God, I am SO thankful that You are my Shepherd…leading and guiding me. You are all knowing and Your wisdom I cannot fat...
6 comments
Read more

Praying as We Breathe In & Out

By offering a simple prayer with every breath, we can be reminded "for in him we live and move and exist" (Acts 17:28). Although rather simple, this practice requires a connection between the unconscious act of breathing and a conscious expression to God. A Bit of History The church has practiced breath prayer or "prayer of the heart" for millennia . The Eastern Orthodox Church, in particular, has seen breath prayer as a way of living out Paul's instruction to "pray without ceasing."         Examples Jesus Prayer Take a moment to become aware of your breathing. It might help to find a quiet place -- close your eyes and notice your breathing. As you breath in -- bring your thoughts to Jesus. As you breath out -- express a word of gratitude or need. For example, breath in -- saying "Lord, Jesus Christ" -- breath out saying "have mercy on me." Throughout your day -- as you notice your breathing -- take note an...
11 comments
Read more