2013 Becoming 2014

Today is the last day of 2013.  

I will say it again, 

Today is the last day 2013.  

My word for 2013 was CHOICES.  What was your word?  Or have you forgotten it as the days have melted together into the blur called 2013?  I've been reflecting on 2013 and I have to smile.  Choices huh? Even through the challenges and growing pains of 2013 God has shown me more about Himself which in turn allows me to see more about myself.  Let me just say that I am far from being the best at making choices, but I make them none the less.

I love this quote from Neil Peart, "If you choose not to decide you still have made a choice."

But in my choices for 2013 here are just a few of the things I've learned about myself:

• I know much less than I thought I did and I'm okay with admitting that.
• I like iced coffee a little too much.
• I am braver than I knew, but not as brave as I can be.
• God is life and life is full of surprises
• It's okay to cry but more importantly its okay to laugh.
• I've been blessed beyond measure by my husband and children who encourage and believe in me even when I don't believe in myself.
• Being there is more important than empty words of wisdom.
• I still don't like dark chocolate.
• Nothing replaces family.
• I am surrounded by friends who speak truth into my ears even when I don't want to hear it.  Friends that won't give up on me.  Friends that challenge and inspire me like nobodies business.
• I am able to love myself & others, forgive myself & others, and allow God to do the revealing and healing.  Repeat as needed.
•  I am the least of these in desperate need of the ONE who knows me better than I know myself.
• I'm ready for 2014

So what is your word for 2014?  It's not too late you know.  I have to admit I was getting a bit anxious for God to reveal it to me but reveal it he did.  

"For we were saved in this hope, 

but hope that is seen is not hope; 

for why does one still hope for what he sees?

 But if we hope for what we do not see, 

we eagerly wait for it with perseverance"

  Romans 8:24-25 NKJV

My word for 2014 is:

Classified: Help Wanted

"Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need."  Matthew 6:33

I don't know how it is for you but when reality hits, it is not a love tap but it hits me hard.  I love football so that is the best analogy I can relate to, a bone-jarring, knock the wind out of you, what just happened kind of hit.

These past couple of months have been like that for me.  I am a closer to 50 than I want to be woman.  A woman who has had the blessed honor of being home the past 20 years to raise my kids, help my husband with his painting business and realize my hearts desire is to serve the Lord by mentoring and encouraging women. 

Just like I am not the same woman who left the job market 20 years ago, neither is the world I am re-entering.  I am learning a whole lot about myself.  Enter reality, I am returning to school and attempting to re-enter the job market with as much confidence and grace as I can muster.  There have been many, many humbling moments for me, I will humor you by sharing a few of them:  

• School, well school doesn't even resemble learning as I remember.  I sit in a classroom consisting of computers and other folks just like me trying to absorb and keep up with the ever-changing world. 
•  I've learned my resume is antiquated and that there is a much greater chance of a computer scanning my resume looking for "keywords" than there is a human being ever seeing it.  And on the off-chance a human does look at it, they will scan it for no more 10-seconds and decide whether I am worthy of an interview.  
• I will just be honest here, as much as I rebel instead of embrace the joys of aging, it is a factor in learning. Okay, in my case it's remembering what you have learned.  Even more so as I attempt to be uber creative in my approach of finding a job. No surprise God has that covered as well:

"Even to your old age and gray hairs

I am he,

I am he who will sustain you.

I have made you and I will carry you;

I will sustain you and I will

rescue you."

Isaiah 46:4

I have to constantly and I mean constantly remind myself that God is the one who has the power to open and close doors ( or interviews in my case).

"I will give him the key to the house of David-

the highest position in the royal court.

When he opens doors, no one will

be able to close them;

when he closes doors, no one

will be able to open them."

Isaiah 22:22

As I write these words and share my heart, I don't desire pity but I hope you can relate on some level. Perhaps even chuckle with me.  But more than anything be reminded, just as I have to be reminded:

"I am the lord; there is not other God. 

I have equipped you for battle,

though you don't even know me,

so all the world from east to west

will know there is no other God.

I am the LORD, and there is no other.

I create the light and make the darkness.

I send the good times and bad times.

I, the LORD, am the one who does these things."

Isaiah 45:5-7

 

Truth in the Unknown

T

e

a

c

h

me not only to number my days, but more importantly include you in them.

R

e

m

i

n

d

me of the value of the little moments, to search passionately for truth and joy amid this great uncertainty.

In the blink of an eye

everything that was 

certain and clear

 is hazy and unknown.  

Once again, letting go of what I can see, stepping boldly into the great unknown.  More courageously than yesterday, clinging desperately to the One who holds it all together. 

Proverbs 4:25-27

Falalalala Friday

Fa                                          

  La    La  

       La

      Friday

is just that, every Friday I'll be posting some of my 

fav's old and new. I pray you will enjoy them as much as I do!

I love supporting a new artist, don't you?  Take a listen and decide for yourself.....

Based on Psalm 23

lyrics

The Lord is my shepherd – I shall not want
He lets me lie down where the grass is soft
He restores my soul
He restores my soul

Though I walk through the valley I will not be afraid
Though I walk through the valley I will not be afraid
I will walk through the valley and I will not be afraid

You lay a table before me – In the presence of those
Who would hate and destroy me – You lift me up
And You restore my soul
You restore my soul

Surely goodness – Surely mercy will follow me all of the days of my life
Surely goodness – Surely mercy will follow me all of the days of my life
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever
Dwell in the house of the Lord
I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever
Dwell in the house of the Lord

from You Have Rescued Me, released 15 June 2011

tags

tags: acoustic christian pop psalm 23 rock worship folk Durham

Update on The 7 Experiment

It's been awhile since I've given an update on 7 An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess by Jen Hatmaker.

The   experiment   continues:

When I last posted I had just begun the food portion of the experiment.  I learned several things during this period and some will stay with me.  For example, reading labels and seeing how many ingredients are in a food item.  I must confess I came right back to my iced coffee vice.  Honestly, its all about the yummy, downright delicious creamers and has absolutely nothing to do with coffee....

Then came phase 2: Clothing

In the book Jen wears the same 7 articles of clothing for 30 days.  Since I pretty much wear the same items anyway, I decided to go on a different trail.  I began with a purchase freeze, along with a healthy purging:  my closet and drawers that were so overflowing (don't judge me) with clothes, shoes and purses.  It was overwhelmingly, sadly, pathetic on so many levels!  Some items I gave to friends and family others I took to Goodwill.  But why stop there? Next came books and household items.  I must confess its going to take me more than 30 days to finish this task, but it's been a great start.....Rome wasn't built in 30 days right?   Hmmmm, or was Rome destroyed in 30 days?  I digress..

Phase 3:  Spending

No spending carried over from phase 2, but this time included a total spending freeze on items for me personally.  Of course I'm not insane, if I needed deodorant I would make an allowance for that, no need for family and friends to suffer for my quirkiness! I had one day to live it up per se and you I you guessed it, I went to Dunkin Donuts and enjoyed a yummy large Butter Pecan iced coffee!

I did make one vital discovery, when you commit to not spending money on yourself, one definitely needs to perform a complete and thorough haircut & hair color analysis a few days before said phase begins.  I found this out the hard way on the evening before I was to begin. I caught a glimpse of myself in a mirror in a very well-lit bathroom.  Yep, I definitely hadn't thought that one through.  I made a mad dash to Walgreen's for a box of I've got to hide all this, I'm way too young for this gray, with a few hours to spare before said spending freeze began. I also got a little scissor happy with my bangs a few times during this phase, what's a girl to do.

I can't tell you though the number of times I almost bought myself a cheap book on Amazon.  I really, really had to be super careful there.

I like to think I did really well in this stage, I didn't even spend my gift cards on myself.  But I did cave in on the last day of the no spending clause, well I felt justified after all, the gal at Dunkin Donuts said they were doing away with the yummy Butter Pecan flavor at the end of the month.  WHAT, that was the next day!!!  I gave into my fleshly desires and purchased a large one.......15 days into the next month I must tell you, Dunkin Donuts was still selling Butter Pecan iced coffee and I get reminded of my weakness every time I go there for a meeting.  Which in case you are wondering is at least 3 times a week.

Phase 4:  Media

I am now in the process of media.  The cool thing is,when I asked my husband if he would join me in not watching television he agreed.  I totally was not expecting that reaction, nice surprise!  We are hooked on watching The Voice and wouldn't you know it, the season of The Voice just started.  Now I could have of course, tried to justify only watching The Voice, its only one show after all.  But honestly, God kept reminding me it wouldn't be a sacrifice if I gave in, and hadn't I learned anything from the Dunkin Donut fiasco??  

I've also now got a kitchen timer in my office, its very helpful to remind me there is a time limit on Facebook, I think I will definitely keep that even when the media phase is over.

So now you are now up to speed with the 7 Experiment.  I highly recommend this book, but with this strong suggestion:  don't try any of the challenges without someone to go on the journey with you.  Without a friend who is willing to be strong in accountability and more importantly pray for you.  I definitely needed someone who could understand my idiosyncrasies and she kept this girl sane and laughing.  And who doesn't need a friend like that??  

Falalalala Friday

F

a

la

la

la

la         Friday

is just that, every Friday I'll be posting some of my 

fav's old and new. I pray you will enjoy them as much as I do!

Fix You ~ Coldplay