Like a River

My daughter bought my husband this spinning light disco ball for Christmas.  We took it out on Christmas Day and have kept it.  We keep thinking the last of the Christmas decorations are put away, and then will find more.  I'm sure this isn't unique.  I'm already looking forward to next Christmas.

I was very satisfied with our holiday season, but now it is time to move on.  The kids are settled in their school routines and I start back to work, officially, tomorrow.  Things feel good.

The most amazing thing is that little mister is doing well in school.  We've had about five good reports in a row, and keep being happily surprised each time.

My high school reunion, which is in two months, seems to have picked up steam, which is a relief for me since I lead the reunion committee.

I know people have been praying for me.  I can feel it.  I am blessed.  Tonight I will rest well, and start a new season.

What you shall wear

The kids started back to school today.  I skipped watching my favorite show last night so I could prepare, practically and mentally.  I chose outfits for each of them for the whole week.

Today was a little bit of a mess.  I must have not slept enough, or not allowed myself a chance to be prepared for the shock of getting back to real life.  Or maybe it was something else - I don't know.  I was just grumpy, and my outlook was affecting my uptake.  Know what I mean?  I was only bringing in the bad stuff.

Sigh.

There was one nice little surprise; I found a pair of pants on clearance.  They aren't a size I want to be, so I'm glad I didn't pay much for them.  They will cover me for now.

I was reading the story of the fall the other day, and noticing how God made his people clothes when they had exposed their nakedness to themselves, just like the stress of getting back in a routine exposed my ugliness thinly veiled beneath a candy shell.  How sad and how compassionate at the same time - to cover the sin which could not be undone.

Covered.  He's got me covered.  My size, and what I will be.  My kids, and what they need.  He's got this all covered.

Now to sleep - a good year will, I think, depend on some good sleep.

Zzzz....

Looking ahead

We had the most lovely family get-together yesterday.  There was a bouncy house, a movie, lots of food, presents, pictures, silliness, and lots of coffee.  I was so blessed.

Today I had to go back to bed after I got up and had breakfast.  I was just so tired.  In addition, I began to have a panic attack as I thought about getting the kids ready for school, which starts tomorrow.  Oh, how I will miss them.

Last semester was so challenging.  This one, I expect to be better.  Simpler.  More focused.  Yet I've had these waves of panic and angst come over me today as I try to get myself together.  I think it's a little different from the "what if-?"'s.  Or maybe it isn't.

It reminds me of the snake in the garden.  Did God really say?  Can He really work this out?

I have had several moments of peace when the thought occurred to me that these challenges I'm imagining might just be opportunities for me to see God at work.  And also, that perhaps he took me through a very difficult and emotionally, physically, and spiritually challenging semester to make me appreciate a good one more.

I think I ought to expect good.

Happy New Year?

I wondered a few days ago if I were the Grinch of New Year's Eve.  It's never been a big deal to me - one year I was downright bummed, thinking that there wasn't really any reason to celebrate, considering national and worldwide trends... and I'm not a huge fan of staying up late, or drinking, and that's the way it's usually celebrated.  Of course now that we have kids, staying up late isn't wise because it takes energy to raise kids and they are going to wake up as early as ever.  Third, I feel like it rushes Christmas.

This year, because of a collusion of events, we are celebrating Christmas today with my side of the family  It's January 2nd, later than I've ever celebrated Christmas, and I'm glad.  It's the happiest way I've ever started a New Year.  It makes me think that just maybe the magic can keep going.

And why not?  Okay, so here's the big reveal: I've been looking online at books about happiness.  There was one just published and promoted through Noisetrade that made me think about it.

Here are a couple of options: one by Randy Alcorn.  This bestseller about positive psychology.  A small group study by Rick Warren.  That looks good!  I'm glad there's some options out there.  Wouldn't at all mind learning about them.