Another year done. I don't know why it always feels like something to check off a list. Like we are biding time here, waiting for the "real story" to start.
This year in particular has really brought that truth out to me. Not sure if it's because I am finally growing up, or because I finally realize where my "real story" is going to be. I started this year out with a drive on New Years Day 2016 to drop my son off in Bellingham. Although he had lived on his own before, it still felt weird to have him so far away. I spent the rest of the year getting use to the idea of "mom" being the smaller role I played daily, and finding what other titles I might want to carry. Wife is always primary. But now I had the time, resources and energy to try on some others in a much bigger way. Friend. Nurse. Neighbor. Horse trainer. Farrier. Young Adult Class leader. Forest explorer. Camper. And some roles I don't want to confess to, but I liked to imagine. :)
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| (Leaving for Bellingham with cars loaded!) |
The year ended with Steve and I right back in roles we find familiar. We are "parents" in a sense again- gaining custody of and raising our 12 year old niece. What happens to the other titles I was playing with? Not totally sure. What I do know is that in all that 2016 brought, it pushed me to see that God always has plans that will blow my socks off. In the scope of eternity, the 70, 80, 90 years we might see here are a blink- and our "real story" will just be in it's infancy when we step into forever. It's a good feeling. It's an interesting feeling. And as we try to find some normalcy and provide security for our little niece, it is a SECURE feeling to know that our forever has barely begun.
I still blog primarily on 30 Something Granny, so this post is just for you, my friends. Rather than do a monthly review like I usually do- I just wanted to share a passage that has stood strong for me the last few months. It has brought me courage, dried my tears, made me strong and given me HOPE. I pray that it does for you to.
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| (The Zone is still my favorite place on Wednesdays.) |
There's a place in the book of John where Peter echoes the sentiments of this passage so well. In John 5, Jesus just gets done saying some CREEPY stuff - "you gotta eat my flesh, drink my blood" kind of crazy. He literally said to the people, " As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever FEED ON ME, he also will live because of me." Yes, I know these guys didn't watch The Walking Dead every week on AMC. But it was still pretty controversial stuff. They thought it was uncomfortable. Distasteful. Inappropriate stuff to say. After he says this, it tells us many of Jesus's disciples stopped following Him. They walked away from Jesus.
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| (My hubby is the best. Really truly.) |
Bummer. They ditched out because the teaching got hard to understand and uncomfortable to their sensitivities. Jesus explained He wasn't talking about FLESH. He was talking about "spirit and life". But they still quit. And they missed out on so much.
After they left, Jesus turned to his close 12 buddies, the disciples who were with him intimately. He asked if they wanted to leave too. Peter is my favorite. He hears the questions and like a straight up G says "Lord, You got everythin' I need. You GOT LIFE. We believe you, we down whit-you! We KNOW you be the HOLY HOLY One of the Big G-O-D." (slightly paraphrased for my entertainment.)
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I love Peter's response. And I love that the writer of Psalm 73 had the same response so many years before. God never changes, never gets old and boring. He is good and true always.
I hope that as you read the passage you would be reminded no matter the good and bad titles/roles you have to play every day, your real story is just beginning. And it's going to be a GREAT one. God says so. :)
"Truly God is good... to those who are pure in heart.
But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped.
For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
For they have no pangs until death... they are not in trouble as others are, they are not stricken like the rest of mankind. "
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| (My first adventure on a Wagon Train was in June) |
When I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task... Until I went into the SANCTUARY of God, then I discerned... "
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| (Time with my girls and horses is my favorite.) |
"...when I was pricked in heart, I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast toward you.
Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel and afterward you will receive me to glory.
Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides You."
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| (The Doanz and Bakerz are always good at chillin'.) |
... for me it is good to be near God; I have made the LORD God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works."
Psalm 73
Happy New Year, 2017! I love learning and growing with you, and I am thankful for you.
(Some more photos just for fun of what we have been up to in 2016.)
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| (Spring brought my first camp out with Rosco. I fell in love with this crazy gelding that day.) |
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| (The Blue Mountains of Eastern Oregon outside of La Grande was a great adventure for Rosco and I.) |
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| (First visit with Chloe in months and we just kept squeezing her.) |
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| (Tough enough to ... own a purse dog. That's my man.) |
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| (August is our month of crazy. Camping, Jet skiing, Clark County Fair, more camping. LOVE IT.) |
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| (Best part of Fair, playing at the Red Barn!) |
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| (Timothy Lake is now going to be an annual destination. Beautiful, easy rides.) |
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| (Naps. Naps are awesome.) |
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| (September was filled with a bunch of cracked ribs, crush injury and my first Mounted Orienteering events. So worth it.) |
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| (Family is a changing, beautiful and "fluid" thing in our world. Never take a person, or a minute with them for granted. ) |
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| (Long talks and time. It makes my heart happy.) |
