Plans

 I remember toward the end of 2019 being super excited for the next year to come. I was hopeful that it was going to be better than 2019 and figured it couldn't be any worse. This was one of those times that I was super thankful that we can't see what is ahead. No one could have predicted that 2020 was going to usher in a pandemic that left us reeling, that it would be super divisive, and bring out the ugly in us. However, it taught us at least two things.

Share Four Somethings June 2021

 It is hard to believe how fast June is going! I feel like the summer is half over and we have not really enjoyed it! Thankfully Kayla doesn't go back to school until the end of August. I have not decided what day in August me and Elijah will start back up. I am just not in a hurry. 

Something Loved

My husband turned 45 at the beginning of this month and we loved celebrating him. I am blessed to be married to him and hope to celebrate his next 40ish birthdays with him! 

Obsolete

 When I first started this blog back in November 2011 I was so excited about it. (You can take a sneak peek back at my first post here.) I set it up as a more streamlined way for people to keep up with what was going on with us, so I wouldn't have to email so many people the same thing! We were traveling a lot and there always seemed to be something to say. I was thinking about that last night and wondered why at times I struggle with what to write. I came up with several reasons.

Time

 2020 might have thrown a lot of stuff at us, and spring might have drug by with all of us safer at home, but time has seemed to speed up since summer began. I feel like I blinked and the summer was gone. I woke up this morning and realized that November is more than half over! I am not even sure how that is possible. Does anyone else feel like this year is speeding by? I know we are all anxious for this year to be over. We feel that 2021 couldn't possibly be worse than this year has been, am I right? I have to tell you that I can remember thinking the EXACT same thing at this time last year. 2019 was not a good year for me, it had a lot of HARD in it, 2020 has been the same, only worse. I have seen the memes, and I am sure that you have as well, that say "Before I agree to 2021 I need to see some terms and conditions." While this is funny, we find some truth in it too. We want some assurances that next year is going to be better. I don't know why we do this to ourselves. We never know what is coming and I believe that is for our own protection. The Bible does not assure us that life is going to be easy, quite the opposite in fact, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" John 16:33. So, while we know we will have trouble, we also have the assurance that God has overcome the world, and I hope that brings you the same measure of comfort that it brings me. If 2020 has taught us anything, I hope that it has taught us to cherish these moments. Life is fragile and we need to handle with prayer. It is ever changing, but we need to cling to what we know is true. One of the Scriptures that has been speaking to me during this season is Psalms 90:17-"May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us-establish the work of our hands." This is almost a daily prayer for me. With SOOOOOO many distractions, it has been hard to focus. But I cling to what is true, and I pray that God will establish the work of my hands, leading me to do the most important work each day, and leaving what is less important for another time. I know that even when I cannot see it, God is working. I also know that God promises to work things out for our good. Let's not get so distracted and bogged down by the bad and everything going on in the world that we miss the good!!! There will be hard moments, but there will also be good, focus on the good and try as much as possible not to dwell on the bad. I heard a song yesterday and again this morning that really resonated with me, it seems to be the theme of 2020. It is called Clarity by For All Seasons, here are the lyrics:

[Verse 1]
I'm caught in a haze, stuck in a daze
Fearing the waves, don't let it overtake me
Thick as a cloud, bringing me down
Drowning You out, don't let my faith escape me

[Pre-Chorus 1]
You're my guiding Light in the darkness
Lead me through the night

[Chorus 1]
You're my harbor on a moonlit night
The kindest calm in the fiercest fight
The brightest star in the darkest sky
My clarity, my clarity, yeah

[Verse 2]
You're not falling apart, here in the dark
I feel Your heart, I hear it beating for me
Making it known deep in my soul
You're in control and that You won't forget me

[Pre-Chorus 2]
Oh I don't need to know what is coming
'Cause I know who You are

[Chorus 2]
You're my harbor on a moonlit night
The kindest calm in the fiercest fight
The brightest star in the darkest sky
My clarity, my clarity
Strong when I can't decide
Leading me on when I lose my sight
'Til that day You make all things right
You'll ever be my clarity, yeah

[Bridge]
If it's not good, You're not finished
If it's not good, You're not finished
If it's not good, You're not finished with it yet
If it's not good, You're not finished
If it's not good, You're not finished
If it's not good, You're not finished with it yet
If it's not good, You're not finished
If it's not good, You're not finished
If it's not good, You're not finished with it yet
If it's not good, You're not finished
If it's not good, You're not finished
If it's not good, You're not finished with it yet

[Chorus 3]
You're my harbor on a moonlit night
The kindest calm in the fiercest fight
The brightest star in the darkest sky
My clarity, my clarity
Strong when I can't decide
Leading me on when I lose my sight
'Til that day You make all things right
You'll ever be my clarity, yeah

 

The part that really struck me this morning was "If it's not good, you're not finished." You all, hold this as a promise. God is not finished, not with us, not with this year. I will say it again, He desires good for us and He will work this out for our good. I hope that encourages you today. Make the most of your time, keep putting one foot in front of the other, even when it is hard, God is working, friends, we can do this, and we will survive 2020!!!