Tag Archive | christmas

Time, Music and Loved Ones

Dec21

Last night I had a blast with some good friends at a 90’s throwback concert.  It was a last minute, spur of the moment sort of thing but it had been on my radar for months.  I have been trying to have a good concert experience for years now and finally I got my wish.  We belted at the top of our lungs and swayed to all the popular songs.  We cheered on the artists and reminisced about “back in the day”.  I really enjoyed that many of the artists did cover songs and tributes to other artists who were not actually performing.  It made me feel like they had the same experience growing up that I did with music and those songs meant the world to them too.

I was even more blessed to get to see one of my besties who decided to make the four hour drive and witness what may be a once in lifetime event.  We were only able to spend a few moments together but seeing her is just a reminder of how blessed in the friendship department I really am.  15 years strong…

She is a teacher and actually ran into a former student at the concert.  You know you are getting up there when the 22 year old sitting next to you is your best friend’s former student.  How does that happen?  And where does the time go?

Time seems to stand still in my waiting but hurry fast when I’m not.  I look back and see the painful moments of surrender but also have to admit the pain does not ever last.  More and more I am aware of how temporary this life is and how fast moments go.  I guess the test is to not believe the lies of the difficult moments.  It also feels like it will never end but it always does.

Last weekend I got to spend time with my god daughter.  We made gingerbread houses and played cards all night.  She sits up front in the car with me now which has never happened and she is almost just as tall as I am.  I kept having flashbacks of when she was three, sitting in the backseat and I was taking her to one event or another.  The preteen years are now here…

That same weekend I went to a friend’s birthday party.  She just turned 50.  I thought about how fast 50 will come for me, if I am afforded those years.  I thought about time again and how it seems so slow but flies by.  I think it is a mystery that God created.

I’m preparing to make a difficult decision soon and go into another period of transition.  I recognize the cycles in my life and though I don’t think it’s wise to project the past into the future, it gets hard not to sometimes.

There are new things happening though for people I love and that is both good and weird.

Life is both good and weird.

I think the mid 30s are teaching me that.

SHALOM

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Christmas 2016

Dec18

The year has flown by though some days seemed endless.  I wonder how we got here often.  How did we bustle through Thanksgiving and now Christmas is quickly approaching?  Every year I struggle with the lack of family around this time and even though that is still a struggle I am grateful that God has given me something a little unique this year.  He has given me community in my home (ironically as I typed that last sentence the cat busted through the door, into my room and is now doing “cat things” in it).  My roommate has been such a joy and I love laughing with her.  I’m certain she makes the Father laugh all the time.  And then there’s Benny (the cat).  Benny who acts more like a person and a dog most of the time than an actual cat.  My roommate and I have had so many nutty things happen in this house with this cat we often joke about writing a book about them!  Yes, God knew what I needed in this season, even if it wasn’t what I thought.

Often it is not what I think.

Yesterday we had our first holiday party.  We combined communities and enjoyed the company of our friends, family and loved ones.  It was a close intimate group which was about all our little upstairs duplex could hold but it was just enough.  My roommate shared on her recent trip to Africa and that was beautiful and powerful all by itself.  I am so blessed to see God move so greatly with her and bring to pass a long awaited desire of her heart.

Friday night she and I attended a holiday dance performance.  There was lovely singing about Christ and salvation and hope and love.  And beautiful dancing to compliment.  There was food and people and fellowship and smiles.  It has been a very full holiday indeed and there are 7 days left to celebrate!  I got most of my shopping done but will have to fight the crowds for a few last items.  I’m nervous to get on the scale these days because I know all the cookies and treats I’ve been consuming will eventually reveal themselves on it.  It seems every other day a client is dropping off their “thank you” at work in the form of boxes of goodies and sweetness.  And then of course we had an overload at our party last night. I’ll be taking the left overs with me to work on Monday!

Life is interesting.  It’s not something you can plan for or control and that has probably been my most surprising and difficult lesson.  Things I never could have imagined have happened, both good and bad.  And yet by most people’s standards I am still “young”.  Surely I am on the older end of the young adult spectrum but by next year I will have tipped over.

As unorthodox as this path has been, I know God has taught me that He is in control even when I am not.  He is ordering my steps even when they seem disorganized.  And He is surrounding me with people full of love, fun and laughter to make the journey a little more enjoyable.

In other news, if you or someone you know is struggling with the holiday blues as a single check out my latest Youtube video!

Also, recently I had a conference call to review the HTOHB study guide.  The study guide is available as a FREE download!  Just click here for the replay of the call!

Merry Christmas to you and yours!


Fun things lately…


SHALOM