thankful for another year…

The calendar tells me I’m older.  Sometimes it’s hard to believe.  Where have the years gone?  Seriously, have I really lived that long??? (:

Each passing year seems to go more quickly than the last.  The days whiz by, the months pass, then another year – completed – done – lived out – fulfilled.

The mirror  often reminds me it’s true.  The gray hairs seem to spring up too quickly now, I can hide them, but they’re there.  I know they are.  The wrinkles are there too.  Though one may try for years to cover them up, I’m just now beginning to embrace them, in some odd way, as a part of my life, for the reminders they bring to me.  With each line, with each gray hair, comes a story…a year…a trial…an adventure lived out….a joy celebrated…a rocky road walked through.  Maybe some wisdom comes with those lines as well, through long years of seeking God, through the tests of waiting, through painful times, through long, sleepless nights, through days where more trust was needed than I could ever manage to find on my own.  It was in those times that the lines were forged, etched deeply, meaningful, brought through trial and each one with great purpose.  And with each comes the greater awareness of how little we really know in this life, it presses me on to want to know more of our God, it challenges me to seek more wisdom from Him, to know His ways, to see as He sees.

I pray that His beauty is more evident as time goes by – deep inside my soul, yet visible to those who walk this life along with me.  Is there not greater beauty in the internal core of our spirit?  Can we find reflections of His radiance shining ever more brightly through the wrinkles of time?  Isn’t “age” in itself beautiful?  Maybe in our culture, it’s more difficult to process that way.  But God sees differently than we do, He sees the heart.  He sees not just the outside, He sees what lies deep inside, He sees what is often hidden from others who are too busy to care, He notices what matters most.

I’m desperate for Him…to breathe in me, through me – His life, His joy, His goodness.  I long for my life to share more than what is external in this world.  I desire to leave hope, encouragement, belief – along the pathway of this life.

In a world consumed with what we look like and how “successful” we are, I’m reminded of the importance of cultivating that different type of beauty and success – the one not so impressive to the world, but definitely more important – the one on the inside.  Our weight, job, age, where we live, who we know, and how much money we make, will never define who we really are – our hearts will.

True inner beauty is lasting, deep, influential, inspiring, giving, caring, life-breathing, and reflective of the love of God Himself.  Living for the world brings pressure, and is never satisfying, no matter how much we seek after it.  It fails us.  It is empty.  It is void of eternal joy.

Yet living for God brings such purpose, freedom, legacy.  As the years go by, I realize more clearly that life is so much more rewarding when, instead of getting all we can out of it, we give all we can through it.

I am forever thankful…for my Savior who set me free…for my soul-mate, who challenges me towards greatness, this man God has purposed me to walk these years out alongside…for 3 amazing children who keep me forever young at heart and inspire me daily with their joy and adventure…for family and friends who encourage, who strengthen, who believe the best for the years ahead.

I may never be rich in the world’s standards, yet I am wealthy in the things that matter most in this life, many of which money could never buy.  I am rich in God’s blessings of family and friends.  I am rich in His mercy.  I am rich with his grace and forgiveness.  I am rich in the goodness He’s given so freely to us.

So, a new year begins. Ready to be lived out.  Fresh day ahead.  I will choose to make the most of the gift of every day.

This year I will live with purpose.

This year I will live with passion.

This year I will dream big.

This year I will wait for God’s timing.

This year I will walk in love.

This year I will inspire wisdom.

This year I will share goodness.

This year I will write.

This year I will be an influencer.

This year I will run towards the goal.

This year I will give generously.

This year I will live with joy.

This year I will keep a sense of humor.

This year I will cultivate gentleness.

This year I will dance.

This year I will live with a grateful heart.

This year I will seek peace.

This year I will sing.

This year I will speak with kindness.

This year I will live with faithfulness.

This year I will celebrate.

This year I will believe the best.

This year I will walk in self-control.

This year I will live with patience.

This year I will walk in forgiveness.

This year I will encourage.

This year I will hope.

This year I will trust.

This year I will stand strong.

This year I will pray – always.

This year I will laugh.

“and she can laugh at the days to come.”  Proverbs 31:25

“for God sees not as man sees, man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

“and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us…” Hebrews 12:1