Here it is, the final day of February. I had set a goal for myself that I would write one blog post a month, and I almost missed the mark on the very second month of the year! I am happy to be getting one in here, just under the wire. Phew...
In January, I began using The Next Right Thing Guided Journal by Emily P. Freeman..
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| Side note: not only had I bought myself a copy, but I was also given a copy by some friends who know me well...this I recorded as an “arrow” to keep journaling, keep figuring out what my next right thing is. I am not paid for this, but you too, should get a copy |
Each month begins with a space for a quote. As January came to a close and I was prepping for February, I chose a quote from Jennie Allen’s Get Out of Your Head bible study book:
“God is not only concerned with the posture of our hearts but also the people on each of our arms. In terms of fulfilling our mission in life we can’t do anything worthwhile alone.” (85)
With this quote as my focus for the month, I have been reflecting on community. As I have looked back over the month, I have seen the theme of people - friends & family - all gathered around me at different times and for different purposes. And it was beautiful. Beautiful to see God at work. Beautiful to see how others allowed God to use them. Beautiful to see how my life intersected the lives of those I live with and work with and do life in general with. God brought so much good out of each time my life came into contact with another. Whether I was giving or receiving, a holy exchange was made. Grace was extended and received, forgiveness was offered and accepted, love was poured out and absorbed.
Sometimes I miss these moments even though I am right in them. Are you like me, often realizing a little too late that there is a holy exchange happening even though you are right in the middle of it? I actually probably miss these moments because I’m right in the middle of them. I don’t recognize the way God’s hand is moving, the way he is prompting, the way he is guiding because I am caught up in the swirl of the spiral of life that is spinning around me. But my desire is to be more present and aware. I want to recognize and acknowledge all that is happening in the moment. Reflecting back has allowed me to trace the hand of God, and to see him at work. Reflecting back has helped me be more aware in the present.
Let me backup another month. January 2021. The month that held my 50th birthday.
If there is ever cause for reflection, it is the time surrounding a significant birthday. To be honest, turning 50 was something I had been anticipating for a very long time. To me, turning 50 would symbolize an arrival at something; what specifically that was, I’m really not sure. It was more of an anticipation of becoming, an expectation of what or who I would be, as well as an excitement for all that lies ahead. It truly was a moment in life that I looked forward to celebrating. (As for that particular celebration, my boys outdid themselves! They went over the top in preparation and presentation. Oh the love!)
As part of my birthday events, I was blessed to listen to words sent to me by friends from long ago and friends from my right-now world. Throughout this, I made a conscious effort to be present in the moment and not only hear the words, but to take them in. I chose to receive the words that were being said and to absorb them into my very soul, because I knew that the words came not only from my dear friends, but these words were also truth spoken by Jesus. I often have the tendency to brush off the words of others, but this time, in humility and grace, I chose to accept them. This was not easy for me, but the truth is - and this is my point - that these words were actually a reflection of who God is and who God has created me to be. Each word was an affirmation of the faithfulness of God in my life. Each word was not so much about me as it was a spotlight on Jesus. These words were a reflection of who God had been, who he is, and who he will continue to be in my life.
Being reminded of these things, of the God-things from our past - this is a good thing. Reflection brings affirmation. Reflection brings perspective. Reflection brings truth. It is good to reflect and to remember what God has done, to affirm how he has used us, and to celebrate how he has worked deep within us to change us.
Remembering is to acknowledge the faithfulness of God. Through sickness and health. Through chaos and peace. Through doubt and certainty. Through death and life. Through hard and holy. There has been a lot of all of these things in the last 50 years, and I anticipate there will be more to come in the next 50. But the good news that I have been reminded of over this significant celebration and the days that have followed it, is that I am not alone in any of it. There are people that God has placed around me for each and every part of the journey.
God has not left me alone. Ever.
Through sickness and health. Through chaos and peace. Through doubt and certainty. Through death and life. Through hard and holy. God gave me people. God provided a community of men and women, family and friends, soul mates and classmates, co workers and co labourers to journey together with through the daily grind of life.
And I am thankful for each one.
Years ago when I began writing this blog, I called it “Blessed Beyond Belief” for a reason. That reason was simple: I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that I had been - and will continue to be - blessed beyond belief in this life. I do not deserve it - the people, the grace, the blessings that come regardless of my own selfish and determined actions. Yet God continues to provide. God continues to protect, redeem, restore, and forgive because God also promises, and I have lived 50 years that shine a light on the truth of those promises.
And that is why I have been blessed beyond belief for the last 50 years. If you are reading this and have made it to the very end, thank you. Thank you for being one of the many people that God has blessed me with in this life. Whether I have known you for years or for days, thank you for blessing me with your presence, with your words, and with your friendship.
You are just another reason that I am truly blessed beyond belief.
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| Celebrating together with a family hockey game on our rink. |
