As
2018 fades in the rear view mirror, this NEW YEAR is coming in hot and feels a bit like a semi rolling down the highway on our bumper.
Can. I. Get. A. Witness?
A quote by Bill
McKenna immediately comes to mind. He said, “Life is not a journey to
the grave with the intention of arriving safely… but to skid across the line
broadside, thoroughly used up, worn out, leaking oil, shouting Geronimo!”
Yeeeeeeee…
While life is not yet over, another year is.
And y’all, I hear a big rig horn blowing! J
In my
“recover from all the fun that the holidays held before gearing up for all things new year time", I’ve cherished a few quiet
moments this week while everyone else was still asleep and thought about the
grown up stuff we parents can process when no one is incessantly calling our
names.
And as I paused, I found myself calling MY Father’s name. Maybe even a bit incessantly.
While
my heart still aches over the physical distance between our family and those we
hold so close in Haiti, the number of blessings God has bestowed on us here, in
Florida, is enough to take my breath away on a regular basis. And yet, balance
continues to be a concept I’m constantly reaching for.
Yep… even in this new year.
As I take these small breathers from all the going & striving, I am incredibly challenged by the words
in Psalm 46:10 that instruct us to, “Be STILL……….and know that [God] is God.”
Sarah Young points out in her writings that alternate meanings for “Be still” in this context are “Relax”, “Let go”, “Cease striving”. Reading that this week left me feeling
a bit convicted and heavy.
There's so much to do.
All the dang time.
So.... Where does being still fit in this year?
Driving
home late last night after a short road trip with the "littles" to a friend’s place, I thought about how
I had a lot to learn from my kiddos… in that very moment.
With 50+ miles to go,
2 of them were fast asleep and the other 2 were taking turns on a game on one
of their phones.
No big deal.
But here’s the thing…not one of them was
stressing about where to turn or what the speed limit was or how long it’d take
to get to home or if the fog would let up or what the parallel lanes of traffic
were doing around us.
It was
then that I felt like the Lord whispered, “You see how at peace they are? That’s
how I want you to be...not just when
you have those few moments to yourself while they are all tucked in, but in the
midst of the crazy that strikes every day, too. In every moment, I want you to
rest in the fact that I’m driving.”
I smiled and agreed.
Afterall, there's no ONE more capable than He.
As I pulled into our driveway at 12:46 am, I yawned and now I'm vowing (through the crazy and the calm) that I won't forget to rest while He's driving this year.
From our crazy to yours-----
Bon Ane, zanmi yo... toupre a lwen!
~ Happy New Year, friends... near and far! ~
Bondye beni ou, tout moun!
God bless you, everyone!! 💗
"Do not cling to old ways as you step into a new
year.
Instead, seek My face with an open mind... I know the plans I have for you.. to prosper you and not to harm you.. to give you hope and a future."
-JESUS Calling, by Sarah Young