Sunday, December 29, 2013

"Back in the Saddle"

Hello blogging world...it's been a while.
But I'm back. And motivated all over again to continue my joyfulness project of days before.

Things have changed over here. We're now a family of 5!
(That's right - 5!!! It seems so many when I say it that way.)
Chris & Breanne, Kaidyn (almost 4), Selah (2.5), and Riley (7 mo.)


And as January 2014 approaches I am once again re-evaluating life, reflecting on 2013, making "resolutions" for 2014, and recognizing aspects of life that need to change.

As our pastor so passionately put it a few weeks ago, I am re-evaluating what is drawing my affections! I am specifically making a list of things that are drawing my affections away from Christ and drawing my affections toward Christ (more on this soon).

2013 was a rough year for me....not because of any one event. Rather, it was a culmination of various events and circumstances that combined together to create a recipe for disaster in my personal and private world (to be re-visited in future posts).

Some of these circumstances are being addressed and I am seeing the positive effects of some simple life changes. This has renewed my interest in the original joyfulness project - and I recognize having an intentional focus on joyfulness is definitely one thing that does draw my affection toward Christ.

So, here I am, "back on the blogging horse," so to speak. I'm not here to "broadcast" my success and failures. I'm not here to "show-off" in my joyfulness. I'm not even here for readers.

I AM here for accountability. I AM here to keep a record of my journey toward joyful living. I AM here to "journal" the experience for future reflection.

And, should people read this blog, I am here for the glory of God, my Lord and Savior! Through the past year, if I have learned anything, it is that God truly does walk us through a path for a purpose. We may not ever know the "purpose" as we would want to define it. But that doesn't matter! The PURPOSE is that GOD BE GLORIFIED!!! And it is my prayer that whatever I may write here, whatever is read, will point people toward God. It is my prayer that whatever vulnerabilities are exposed will direct people toward God's saving grace and daily mercies.

Today I begin again my joyfulness encounter...may God be glorified! This coming year I intend to revisit some of my 2013 experiences (through blogging) for the purpose of reflection and joyful thanksgiving...may God be glorified! This year I will open my eyes to the bigger picture of where I have been, where I am now, and where God is taking me...may God be glorified!

There is a reason I have been through the valley this past year...may God be glorified!

"My soul is bereft of peace;
I have forgotten what happiness is;
so I say, "My endurance has perished;
so has my hope from the Lord."
Remember my affliction and my wanderings, ...
My soul continually remembers it
and is bowed down within me.
But this I call to mind,
and therefore I have hope:
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
"The Lord is my portion," says my soul,
"therefore I will hope in him.""
~ Lamentations 3:17-24 (ESV)