It’s easy for me to look back on my year and see the areas where I could have done better. If I spent more time working out I could’ve lost the extra weight I’ve been carrying around. Also, it’s a lot easier to write a book if I actually sit down at a computer to get my thoughts in order. The list goes on and on. I think hockey great Wayne Gretzky got it right when he said, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” In reflection, I can see the places where I could have done things differently.
Thankfully, the calendar just turned the page to a new year. And, not only a new year, but a new decade! God established times and seasons when He created the world. Then God said, “Let lights appear in the sky to separate the day from the night. Let them be signs to mark the seasons, days, and years.” (Genesis 1:14, NLT) Long ago, He planned this very year, this very decade. Just imagine-20/20 vision for your future! Furthermore, who wouldn’t want to dream about beautiful days ahead?
God is planning something amazing for us in the coming days. “Watch for the new thing I am going to do. It is happening already–you can see it now! I will make a road through the wilderness and give you streams of water there.” (Isaiah 43:19, GNT) God is making a way for us when it looked like there wasn’t a way. Consequently, it’s time to start dreaming again! We are entering a new season. We need to wrap our minds around this: God is for us. He wants us to succeed. God says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor…” (2 Corinthians 6:2, NIV) Something good is on the horizon. Get a vision for it-and make it 20/20.
Things to do today:
- Dream big.
- Read a similar blog called ‘Great Expectations’ and listen to songs ‘Way Maker’ and ‘Future.’
Sitting in an airport in the early morning hours is a perfect place to people watch. You can see all walks of humanity, and they come with a plethora of moods and a multitude of attitudes. Watching kids is especially entertaining because they are not stressed with traveling; they are dancing in the open areas, climbing on chairs, and giggling from the sheer joy of living. The adults however, often have a harried look. I lazily watched the craziness of the airport until I was unexpectedly thrust into the fray when tornadoes derailed most of the flights to my connecting airport. What should I do? Based on what I was witnessing, I had options. I could yell, throw a tantrum, or get angry at the airline personnel. But how could that possibly help the situation? There simply HAS to be a better way.
The wind is blowing fiercely today on the eve of the New Year. Maybe Mother Nature wants to make a parting statement when the rest of the world is simply looking forward to a new beginning. A meteorologist could explain where the wind gets its strength, but he probably couldn’t tell us where to get it when we need it. If the previous year left you tired, a little broken and on your knees, there is a place you can go to refuel. 
Picture this: late evening in an overcrowded parking lot, snowy and cold, with 2,000 impatient people trying to leave at the same time. There was high potential for angry words and honking horns. Since we wanted to keep the good feeling of the season, my sister-in-law and I waited patiently in a long line of cars. To entertain ourselves, we started making jokes as we watched drivers cutting in front of other cars and forcing their way through to the exits. It went like this: “They clearly never went to kindergarten-because that’s where you learn to take turns.” Or, “Maybe they only had half-day kindergarten.” You know what? As silly as our jokes were, it worked. We didn’t get upset with the choices people were making. We held fast to peace.
I’m thankful I live in a small town. Most of the people in a small town will never make the national news, but that doesn’t stop them from making a difference in the lives of the people around them. By leading with their hearts, they change their corner of the world. Recently, there was a family who lost their home and possessions to a house fire. The school district came together and donated appliances, furniture, household items, and bags and bags filled with clothes for all members of the family. Another town put together a Thanksgiving food bank for those who couldn’t afford to make that dinner for their families. Many churches are packing Christmas shoeboxes full of presents to be sent to needy children around the world. High school students are collecting items for the Ronald McDonald House, and middle school students are collecting canned goods for a local food bank. The list of giving goes on and on.
I’m thankful for the beauty in nature. Psalm 96:11-12 says, “Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it. Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.” That’s a great idea-to celebrate God’s creation. I’ve been blessed to travel to a number of amazing places in the United States and it’s impossible to pinpoint a favorite. Northern California with its vistas overlooking the sparkling waters of the Pacific, Lake Tahoe’s mountain views surrounded by gigantic pine trees, and the majestic mountains of Yosemite National Park are breathtaking. Seeing waterfalls flow down a river in Virginia, watching a sunrise fill the Grand Canyon, and hiking in the Green Mountains of Vermont are awe-inspiring. The list goes on and on and in each is seen the handiwork of God.
I’m thankful for children. I’m thankful for the innocent way they look at life, and their excitement in every little thing. Recently I took my nephews for a walk through the woods on a perfect fall day. As we entered the woods with the canopy of trees overhead and the path an array of color from the fallen leaves, I heard, “I really love this place. It’s beautiful.” Indeed it was. Everything we saw caused wonder: a few small acorns that the squirrels missed, small stones to throw in the water, fallen trees to try to walk on, and big sticks to carry. Joy, wonder, and anticipation of the next adventure are seen through the eyes of a child.
I’m thankful for music. I’m thankful that one song can magically lift your spirits and change your entire outlook in an instant. One of my favorite memories is of my mom, my niece Savana, and I in the car singing together. We’d sing at the top of our lungs, then erupt in fits of laughter. Suffice it to say we’re not expecting to win any voice competitions but we’d get points for high energy and strong teamwork. My niece Taylor and I have a song too. When it comes on the radio our eyes light up and we jump right into the lyrics. Personally, I think we’d make great back-up singers, because we even have a few moves to compliment the song. My nephew Benjamin loves to dance, so we’ve ‘busted a few moves’ together. Ben can’t help it, his little body just starts wiggling when he hears a song. It’s a proven fact, our joy increases when we hear music.
It’s that time of year when many of us are thinking about going back to school. As a teacher, I think about the kids who will be entering my classroom; they’ll come in all shapes and sizes and with various abilities and personalities. This reflection reminds me of a new boy that entered my room one year who had trouble with his speech and was challenged with making friends. We had an indoor recess one day and every child ran for their friends and began playing games. The new boy looked around at the gathered groups, saw no one gesturing to him, and quietly picked up the blocks and went to a corner to play alone. But then something beautiful happened. Zoe, a well-liked and friendly girl, left her group of laughing friends, crossed the room, and sat down by the new boy to play blocks with him the entire recess. Simply put, love is kind.
Let’s face it, we all make rash decisions at times. My most recent one was taking a 2, a 7, and an 11 year-old to the movies. It’s amazing the things you can accomplish while the previews are on: the 2 year-old and I did step aerobics (repeatedly), explored the lighting systems on the floor, marveled at the big screen, pondered the recliner seats, and greeted other movie-goers as they entered. My body became a human jungle gym during the movie as the 2 year-old sat, crawled, climbed, and lay across me. He wasn’t afraid to comment (loudly) on the antics on the screen, occasionally asking, “What’s so funny?” The highlight of the movie was when my nephew decided to take the lid off his cherry slushy and tip the cup upside down to see why it wasn’t coming out faster. Red slushy in my lap was…interesting. As we left the theater my other nephew said it looked like I’d wet my pants. At that exact moment I discovered the slushy also found its way inside all the compartments of my purse. So as I stop to reflect on our adventure, I realize there are a few lessons to be shared.