Feliz

Happy...Joy...Welcome to the New Year (2010):
A month or so ago I was encouraged with these words from Scripture, "the joy of the Lord is my strength". Hmm, I cannot say that this has often been true of me. I often let circumstances, how I am feeling, responsibilities, tasks to be done, etc. often become a source of stress- thus, my joy being robbed from me. This year I am choosing to enJOY more- enjoy Christ, my family, ministry, the little things- more...not get more, or strive for more, but enjoy what I have right now.
Last year my friend Sarae inspired me to choose a word for the new year. Last year, I choose TRUST with Proverbs 3:5 and 6 as the verse to go along with it. Looking back on 2009 it was def. a year where I was challenged to trust. One of the biggest ways was I was challenged to trust was when I didn't know what was wrong with my lung and the doctor had found a density in it. Eventually I found out that I had fractured my sixth rib (from coughing so hard when I had pnemonia), but that waiting, wondering, and worrying time really helped me appreciate the time I've been given. I try now to be more present in the moment and enjoy the little things more fully. I know I am prone to dramatics...but this situation really made me feel like I was given a second chance at life- to not rush through it so often, but to slow down, to trust, and to take the time to be more present and alive each day (not worrying about what may or may not happen next).
This year, "SEEK" is the word for 2010. Seek and not stress. I want to SEEK Jesus and draw nearer to Him this year, and by doing that I know a pleasant by-product will be stressing less. As I come near to Him, seeking His wisdom, I know I will be comforted. Jeremiah 29:11-13 talks about when we seek Him with our whole hearts we will find Him. I also like the scripture found in Psalms, "Seek Him while He may be found. Call to Him while He is near". So there, you have it; the word/focus for 2010.
My husband challenged me the other day to not stress so much...I can be so serious and intense, and this was a good reminder to just relax. And that is just what he and I did last night. He put on his head light and we strapped on camp's cross-country skiis and took off (not so gracefully at first) through the wooded snowy night. It was so fun! My wonderful hubby led the way, so I was safe and didn't have to blaze the trail through the deep powdery snow first. We ended the night with some Wii competition in the gym, I lost royally (no surprise).
So, my New Year's challenge to myself and all of us is to seek Him more and stress less in 2010.
Happy New Year!