On Monday, I took Joel back to Chapel Hill. While running errands and then over burgers at Buns, I told him about friends who have chosen a word for the year ... words like release and pray and surrender. On a quilting blog that I visit occasionally, readers are offering words like do, create, dare, bloom, resolve.
How about the word unexpected. That's what Joel suggested his word for 2013 should have been. So much of what happened in his life last year was certainly unexpected ... a tough end to his soccer career, the decision to forgo soccer in college and attend Carolina, a difficult summer, two visits to the ER this fall semester including one after a rather bad seizure. Life didn't go the way he expected last year, but I've watched him navigate it uncomplaining, with perseverance and grace, and with growing confidence in God's goodness. I've heard him acknowledge the difficulty but tell me again and again, "It will be ok." As we walked from the emergency room to the car in the dark, wee hours of a November day, he put his arm across my shoulder and told me, "Don't worry, Mommy. God is taking care of me."
I had unexpected's last year, too, though they were perhaps not quite as dramatic as Joel's. When January, 2013 rolled around, I didn't know ...
-we were going to do a major downstairs renovation, replacing all the flooring and knocking out a wall. A good bit of the month of February, we were in chaos. But it was worth every minute of inconvenience and mess. It is such a different house now - the light, the space, the wood - and we
love it.
-how many hours would be given to handling and mailing fabric and quilts, taking pictures, and of course, sewing our own quilt for the Sari Bari Quilt Auction. It was time well spent.
-that Erin, Luke, and Clara would move to Montana in the spring and that I would have the opportunity to visit them on the ranch. Also, that they'd move back to NY. Not something they had expected at all, but in the process they felt the hand of God and experienced the love and generosity of so many friends and a few strangers, too!
-that our refugee sewing class, that started with conversations in the spring would become a reality in late July; that we would purchase sewing machines, receive lots of donations of fabric and supplies; start a website; and meet twice monthly through the fall with five very eager and wonderful Burmese women.
OK, now I'm stuck. I've written and deleted several sentences, trying to neatly sum this up. Honestly, I don't know what else to say about these unexpected things except that I am thankful to God for each of them. They were mostly good and I am happy with the way they shaped the year. The sewing class, in particular, is something that I hope will continue and grow and be a big part of the next few years for me. I'm excited about it. It feels like the place where "gladness and hunger meet" for me. (Thank you for that quote, M).
There were other unexpected things this year that were hard, sad, and painful. But, in the balance of it all, they rather paled because they were simply to be dealt with or endured, depending on God for the wisdom and grace required to get through and go on ... I learned from them, learned patience, forbearance, forgiveness, and trust, learned that they don't define me or keep me from delighting in the good gifts.
And now, I'm looking forward to the good gifts of 2014, those I know that are on the way and those that will take me completely by surprise. And I have a word for this year ...
How about the word unexpected. That's what Joel suggested his word for 2013 should have been. So much of what happened in his life last year was certainly unexpected ... a tough end to his soccer career, the decision to forgo soccer in college and attend Carolina, a difficult summer, two visits to the ER this fall semester including one after a rather bad seizure. Life didn't go the way he expected last year, but I've watched him navigate it uncomplaining, with perseverance and grace, and with growing confidence in God's goodness. I've heard him acknowledge the difficulty but tell me again and again, "It will be ok." As we walked from the emergency room to the car in the dark, wee hours of a November day, he put his arm across my shoulder and told me, "Don't worry, Mommy. God is taking care of me."
I had unexpected's last year, too, though they were perhaps not quite as dramatic as Joel's. When January, 2013 rolled around, I didn't know ...
-we were going to do a major downstairs renovation, replacing all the flooring and knocking out a wall. A good bit of the month of February, we were in chaos. But it was worth every minute of inconvenience and mess. It is such a different house now - the light, the space, the wood - and we
love it.
-how many hours would be given to handling and mailing fabric and quilts, taking pictures, and of course, sewing our own quilt for the Sari Bari Quilt Auction. It was time well spent.
-that Erin, Luke, and Clara would move to Montana in the spring and that I would have the opportunity to visit them on the ranch. Also, that they'd move back to NY. Not something they had expected at all, but in the process they felt the hand of God and experienced the love and generosity of so many friends and a few strangers, too!
-that our refugee sewing class, that started with conversations in the spring would become a reality in late July; that we would purchase sewing machines, receive lots of donations of fabric and supplies; start a website; and meet twice monthly through the fall with five very eager and wonderful Burmese women.
OK, now I'm stuck. I've written and deleted several sentences, trying to neatly sum this up. Honestly, I don't know what else to say about these unexpected things except that I am thankful to God for each of them. They were mostly good and I am happy with the way they shaped the year. The sewing class, in particular, is something that I hope will continue and grow and be a big part of the next few years for me. I'm excited about it. It feels like the place where "gladness and hunger meet" for me. (Thank you for that quote, M).
There were other unexpected things this year that were hard, sad, and painful. But, in the balance of it all, they rather paled because they were simply to be dealt with or endured, depending on God for the wisdom and grace required to get through and go on ... I learned from them, learned patience, forbearance, forgiveness, and trust, learned that they don't define me or keep me from delighting in the good gifts.
And now, I'm looking forward to the good gifts of 2014, those I know that are on the way and those that will take me completely by surprise. And I have a word for this year ...
2 comments:
Love the quote Beth - I'll be tucking that one away to ponder. And your words about difficulties " (I)learned that they don't define me or keep me from delighting in the good gifts.". I am learning too. xo
"But, in the balance of it all, they rather paled because they were simply to be dealt with or endured, depending on God for the wisdom and grace required to get through and go on ... I learned from them, learned patience, forbearance, forgiveness, and trust, learned that they don't define me or keep me from delighting in the good gifts."
Wise words, dear friend.
Hello 2014!
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