Tiptoeing Quietly into the New Year

-

s





 

Happy New Year! 2022 flew by and here we are in a brand new year.

Yesterday, we enjoyed a fun afternoon with all of our children home to celebrate. I decided to make it easy with some party-type foods instead of a big sit down dinner. This way everyone could just pick and choose what they wanted and it would be low-key. 

A new year is when I normally set some goals for myself. As I looked back over 2022 and the goals I had set, I was happy to see that I achieved many of them. There were some that fell flat, but for me it's not about getting them all accomplished, but to have something to aim for. I find that if I aim at nothing I'll hit that every time. So I always want to at least aim at hitting a few targets.

To be honest, I've been so busy lately that I haven't even had time to think about it. I do know the few goals I had on last year's list that didn't get done will carry over to this year.

In the past I've also spent some time reflecting and praying about a word to focus on. I know many people do that as well each year, but I'm going to be honest here. I've been feeling that so many of those things I see circulating around the internet just seem to be kichy. What I mean by that is someone starts it and then everyone jumps on the bandwagon and then it just loses it's meaning. 

If there is anything I'm sensing at all is to just live out this verse better...

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 ~  Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

I want to be present in the lives of my family and friends. I want to develop meaningful connections. I want to work at whatever the Lord gives me to do quietly regardless of whether I get any affirmation. 

So I'm tiptoeing quietly into the new year and am praying that this is a year that all I find to do will bring honor to the Lord.

Comments

  1. debbiJanuary 2, 2023 at 10:26 AM

    Happy New Year, my friend! I love the verse you picked out. I think my "word" for the year should be "listen". I need to work hard to keep my mouth shut and be a better listener.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. TerriJanuary 2, 2023 at 10:28 AM

      "Listen" - me too! lol It's not always easy, is it? Happy New Year!

      Delete
  2. JanJanuary 2, 2023 at 12:19 PM

    Such a good scripture.
    I like the New Years spread-it looks delicious!I think people often enjoy party food more than a formal sit down dinner; especially this time of year when there are several within a month or two.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. TerriJanuary 2, 2023 at 4:14 PM

      Yes, it really worked out better so they could munch on the food all afternoon.

      Delete

Post a Comment

I love your comments and encouragement! I can't always respond back but do read each comment.

Popular posts from this blog

Oh What to Do; I'm Sixty-Two!

-
Image
Today is my sixty-second birthday and it's hard to believe I've achieved that....um....seasoned age! My first thought this morning was one of not being sure that I like it. However,  as I thought I about it, I decided to take joy in the fact that I've reached an older age. Because age comes with benefits. Benefit #1 - I'm a bit wiser.   When I look back at some of the decisions I made when I was younger, I cringe. With age has come the ability to slow down and think things through before I make major upheavals in my life. I've also discovered that getting worked up about certain things is just an absolute waste of emotional energy. Benefit #2 - I'm enjoying my life.   As I've aged I've learned all kinds of skills and hobbies and can honestly say that I'm never, ever bored. I love all the different things I'm able to do and it's fun! Benefit #3 - I've learned to appreciate my relationships. With age I've learned to work on developing a...
Read more

Eating to Live

-
Image
  Despite the unexpected busyness and interruptions, I have been plugging away at my weight loss as well as writing the plant-based, whole food cookbook. Recipe testing fell by the wayside the past two weeks, but I've still gotten a good chunk of the book done. I also got on the scale this morning for another one pound loss which makes a total of 61 lbs. since I started this journey back in July. It's second nature at this point and I have so much more energy and feel healthy. The only negative is that because I've lost so much weight I'm seeing some sagging, crepe-papery skin happening. Yuck. Some of that is age and I need to figure out some toning exercises. It's definitely a life-style change, but a positive one which I'm so thankful I started on. The pictures above are a small selection of meals I've eaten the past two months and many of those will be included in the book.  This will be a printable e-book as I find that will be the easiest and most cost ...
Read more

When the Unexpected Pops Up

-
Image
On Thursday afternoon, just as Dan and I were getting ready to leave for a meeting, we received a phone call from our son. He was sitting on the side of the road with a blown engine in his car. The problem is he lives 3 1/2 hours away. After back and forth phone calls he called a tow truck and got it towed to a garage. He ended up renting a car and headed here for the holiday. We've been working with him to figure out his next steps because he still owes thousands of dollars on the car which will also take a significant amount to replace the engine. His rent is going up in the new year. His seasonal job ended and he is trying to find something else, but needs a car for that to happen. His car still has not been looked at by the mechanic. It is all more than a little overwhelming. Long story short, we extended an invitation for him to live here temporarily so he can get out from under all of this. It would save him money on expensive rent and utilities.  The timing was right since h...
Read more