My word this year in 2015 was JOY. A simple word though it may be, it was a good year to learn it, to envelope it, to live it, because it was a hard year and there was a lot of sadness, so how better to find joy except thru sadness.
Children got hurt badly, multiple times, expectations had to be lowered multiple times or given up completely. But it opened up the way to recognizing grace, and for that I'm thankful. It helped me to recognize the complexity and the works in progress that we all are. It's been hard for sure, but somehow, I think I am one of those folks that needs to learn the hard way. I'm too stubborn to learn else wise.
Children got sick badly, and letting go had to be done. To realize that I wasn't able to fix my child but had to rely on someone else was a big lesson. It made me think of how much my children aren't my own but are his, and his plans are bigger and greater than mine. His family is bigger than my small unit of 5. He is in control and I am not.
Strife happened, helping me to realize that the only thing that really can make me happy in this life is to keep my eyes fixed on Jesus, that not even family can fulfill that need, only God can. Only God can be my true Joy.
New adventures were embarked. Craziness ensued. Hair pulling and yelling, questioning and thanking. Reassurance and renewed spirits, affirmation and growth. Learning happened! So much of it, and probably most of it by me, because I had to learn to adapt. To know that even though things were straightforward in my mind, they weren't to a five year old and they weren't to teenagers. Instead we stepped back and filled in holes and tried other ways and decided to rest and not rush. Rushing doesn't help one to learn, but only brings crossing off lists or making check marks.
Significance was realized more greatly, in that I am really worth it as a human, I am chosen. I do have a God that loves me, and also in that I will suffer. But I can and do have someone to unite that suffering with, Jesus. And no one can take that away.
Anxieties rollercoastered. As problems needed to be dealt with anxiety was higher, but also, new triggers were uncovered, and I learned to give myself more graces and tried to change things for more stability, and many prayers were said. The rosary became calming and for that I am thankful.
Not everything is figured out. And since I am a work in progress, there is still more to uncover, and more to learn and more to grow in. And that is okay. I don't need to be a finished book, I am only 32 after all.
To next year , 2016, I give the word: HOPE. To know that there is always hope. It's not as bleak as the world and media make it out to be, but instead I can remember there is hope. Hope in tomorrow, hope in new beginnings, hope in letting go of baggage, hope in Jesus.
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