The Difference a Year Makes

The earth rotates around the sun once.  A year passes.  We grow.  We change.  What a difference a year makes.

The peonies that once grew in my Poppy's yard; moved to my Mom's yard, then transplanted to our yard...grow thicker, more beautiful, more hearty this year than last.  One year of waiting brought more beauty.

We have gotten 10 "no's"....10 "not yets"...on Baby #4, waiting to adopt the one we love already.  Waiting longer than we anticipated.  Yet we grow closer, we love deeper, we communicate more openly....10 years, now almost 11; gift of grace, this marriage.  One year of waiting of made love truer.

He, youngest, grew up.  Almost four, and potty-trained just in time for birthday.  A faster runner, more independent, feet large like bricks wearing size 11 now.  He with the light in eyes and smile that melts, he grew.  One year of growing led to exit from toddlerhood to big boy emerging.

Last year I canned jam; delicious but taxing.  This year I did freezer jam, easier.  One year of "wising up" helped me learn that superwoman isn't a real person and I don't have to do all the things I think I should.  Celebrate small successes and shake off the guilt that accuses when you say "no" for the sake of margin and what is best for the family.  One year of learning (from many failures and some successes) births sweeter fruit.

He and she helped me pick strawberries this year.  They worked hard, they eased the load, they got along.  A great reminder to not give up, but keep going; keep working at being better parents and better nurturers of their precious lives; and keep entrusting their ultimate well-being to their Father God. Galatians 6:9  "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."  One year of growing produced more maturity.

One year older, and she is as tall as a bean pole...legs that don't end.  Highlighted hair and asking when she can wear deodorant.  She unloads the dishwasher now, not just the silverware (sometimes without complaining).  She is growing up; on inside and out.  One year down the road leads to new chapters being read and others waiting to be written.

What a difference one year makes.  Things you thought would happen don't and things you didn't plan on happen; and you are surprised.  Unpredictable weather brings a beautiful plant of tangled roots, seed-bearing fruit, and freezer jam (not canned).  You look back, thankful for the hard even though it's hard.  Thankful for the blessings, growing even more precious with the passing of one year.

Psalm 90:12  "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."