As the one year anniversary of my life changing event rolls around, I am meditating on the journey thus far. One of the things that I am reminded of is the {word} that I chose to guide my year back in early January.
My word is Embrace - to take up willingly and easily, to surround. After having lived the past 6 months of 2009, and the events that have occurred, I am adding a second word to my journey as I feel it encompasses and completes the word Embrace. It is {nurture} - to support and encourage, to develop.
I am embracing and nurturing who I am in Christ. I realize that I am made in his image, and if this is true as his word proclaims, then there are no mistakes. His thoughts towards me outnumber the grains of sand. Psalm 139:18. Think about that....that thought just blows me away. The realization of just that one verse has saved me from many worrisome thoughts that might otherwise consume me.
I am embracing and nurturing who I am as an artist. A life artist, a creative soul. I do not make the most beautiful things. I am not going to win awards, or be celebrated because of some great piece. I probably will never be published or be asked to teach a class. But I love this stuff....it is such a big part of me, I love the exploration and the process of using my hands and my imagination to create stuff.
I am embracing and nurturing who I am as an artist. A life artist, a creative soul. I do not make the most beautiful things. I am not going to win awards, or be celebrated because of some great piece. I probably will never be published or be asked to teach a class. But I love this stuff....it is such a big part of me, I love the exploration and the process of using my hands and my imagination to create stuff.
I am nurturing and embracing a young lady, as she embraces and journey's through adolescence and redefines herself as a high school freshman. No longer competing in gymnastics and missing the high school cheer squad, she is planting her feet in new ground.
I am nurturing and embracing a young man, growing up so fast and navigating the waters of his next two years of high school. I am learning how different he is than the other two children and finding those moments to connect with this amazing mind and unique personality that is all his.
I am nurturing and embracing my oldest son by letting go. He is out on his own now, I have done my job. I now have to trust that he is making his own decisions based upon the foundations we have set for him and embracing the fact that I can no longer control the outcome but can only pray.
I am nurturing and embracing my marriage. 18 years. Commitment, sacrifice, hard work. We are entering a new phase of life, where we often find its just US because of the ages of our kids. Making time for each other, renewing trust and honor, finding joy and peace in the little things and finding strength and courage for continued breakthrough and freedom.
I am nurturing and embracing family and friendships. I will take the time again to plan out special memories for my family. We will engage with family dinners and spontaneous times out together such as cosmic bowling, ice cream, waterparks.....bum days. I am no longer taking my friendships for granted but am nurturing those friendships that are so very valuable.
I am nurturing and embracing me. Taking time out. Taking deep breaths. Doing nothing. Hanging outside. Being still. Putting my feet up. Journaling, doodling, reading, contemplating............processing, redeeming..............
I look forward with expectation for the rest of 2009.
I look forward with expectation for the rest of 2009.
