Let me just tell you that I cannot believe that it is March 1st already. !!
February was a busy month. Not CRAZY busy, but busy enough with my head in other projects & assignments that I knew I needed to take blogging off my to-do list to maintain some balance.
I'm feeling a little bit rusty, if I'm being honest.
And before my "break" I was starting to feel like my blogging was a little blegh. It felt very informational to me - reports of date nights, parties, FHE outlines, etc -- alllll great stuff which I love, but missing a bit of the heart and sharing that I typically like to put into this space.
That is partially due to the fact that sometimes stuff happens in real life that you can't put out there publicly. At least not while you're in the middle of it. Maybe when there is an "end" and a nice pretty bow is tied on this chapter then I can share.
We are doing fine. We are working through a challenge, and there are prayers, patience, and a lot of faith involved. We know things will work out in the end . . . but maybe that's why my heart isn't completely here, because I can't lay it all out there on the internet.
That being said, over the past 8-9 months I have learned a lot about
waiting on the Lord
prayer
faith in action
And my one little word has definitely come into play as I have been reminded through the scriptures and the spirit to "Be of good cheer."
And truthfully, I need that reminder! That is a big part of the reason why I chose CHEER as my one little word for 2015. Last year I began to notice that I was grumpy a lot of the time. Like, much more than I should have been. Scott noticed it, I felt it and I had a hard time shaking it. Maybe it's because this challenge was a part of our reality for most of 2014, or maybe I had become personally lazy, or ungrateful, or whatever.
But I needed to fix it. Because I didn't want to be grumpy for my family. They deserve better.
And the words "be of good cheer - I will not leave you comfortless" kept returning to me and I knew that was the message I needed to carry with me this year.
Today I was reading in the New Testament. Christ's disciples were on a ship, being tossed on the waves at night, when He appears to them walking on water. They become frightened and cry out in fear. Immediately He calls out to them,
"Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid."
When you have uncertainties and fears, what better comfort is there than the mere presence, attention, and love of a single incredible individual - Jesus Christ. He is enough to make everything alright.
And what comfort comes in knowing that our Heavenly Father is aware of us. That can be easy to forget. Especially when you are waiting for answers, direction, solutions and it doesn't come quickly. It is easy to start feeling lost or even forgotten. Today I also read in Matthew 10:29-31
Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.
But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
And that was the message that I felt repeated in church today - and I needed to hear - that our Father is so very aware of us and all that we do.
I'm thankful for Sundays to recharge & inspire me and get ready for the week.
I am thankful for my truly amazing family.
We are blessed everyday.
Answers will come. We are learning as we go. We are staying positive.
This week Scott and I enjoyed a picnic lunch at the park and as we talked on these things I wondered aloud, "It will be interesting to look back on this chapter in 5 years -- I wonder if we will have clarity to see the reason behind all of it, to understand the pieces that needed to come together to get us to where we are supposed to be."
I know there is a plan for all of us. All of us. We simply need to have faith, do our best to let the spirit guide our choices, and enjoy the ride.
