Shadows.

This last week and a half has been so off balanced that it has been hard not to just throw in the towel. I had to drop all plans of going to see my family for a few days at the Stockshow and make a last minute trip home for the unexpected funeral of a beloved Ag teacher, mentor and friend. That was rough and very heartbreaking. I  lost what was a great start to my daily devotionals and have not found the time I have wanted to be "creative" and just let loose. There has almost been this overbearing shadow in the way of all that I want to accomplish and it seems to be blocking my happy and motivated emotional state. It takes a lot to hide my smile and most of the time I tell myself I am being ridiculous and can snap out of it . But there just seems to be that shadow again.....


That is when I actually came across this quote today by Helen Keller- "Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow". Yes I was making it hard to see this very simple concept that could have saved me days ago. Our plans are going to miscarry and nothing is easy in life (especially resolutions!) but it is how we handle the setbacks that get us ahead to where we want to be. I think I just kept waiting, anticipating, having these expectations that things were automatically just going to snap into place and that I was somehow going to be ideal overnight. 


"If you want to make God laugh tell him your plans" and sure enough I don't doubt that he was smirking a bit but he did put me in my place. Yes he did. He has made me realize that I am going to have to rely on him a weee bit more than what I was if I am to see what he has in store. I have to imagine his love and plan. I have to believe in his love and plan. And I have to pursue his love and plan. I am looking toward the sunshine now!

Renewed

Renew. We all know that it is still the start of a new year and hopefully the start of a new belief or even a chain of events that finally go your way. Renew.... but what does it really mean? By the dictionary's definition it is to exhilarate, mend, start over. I certainly need to mend a few things and I can honestly say I need to start over in others. But I really want to focus on a few words that "renew" brings to mind. These are three resolutions I really want to pursue and become more involved in. Sometime I feel as if success isn't always measured by what you can put on your resume, what connections you might gain or even how well you accomplish that day to day tasks. I believe it is finding ways to add to your personal growth that make you more of an ideal person to be around.


I want to restore to a greater level, my love and patience for what God's plan is for me by starting a daily devotional and lifting a different person up each week.
I want to revive my appreciation for the beauty that surrounds me and share stories of the beauty I see in other's lives as well as my own.
And I want to replenish my favorite hobbies of scrapbooking, taking pictures, and being creative.


Three goals that I have for this year and three words that go hand in hand to "renew" and achieve that personal growth I am looking for.


Roughly 42 weeks and 329 days left. I can do this by your GRACE God.