The beauty of the sun, the warmth it brings, the peace it brings. The smile it brings to my face. I will always love the sun. I think of it as a smile from Jesus so many times. But then I started thinking back to all 2015 has been. All the past year has given me, taught me, shared with me. The strength, gratitude, joy of 2015, and the joy and gratitude that 2016 has to bring. As on Instagram, there is the #bestnine. The top photos that one posted in 2015. What would your top nine memories be? It's funny... as I wrote in my journal this morning, the times and people that have touched me the most, made the biggest impact on my life this past year... some of them made my #bestnine photo, some of them didn't. This year has been hard, has been good, has been great... all because of the people and experiences God has brought into my life. All the changes, all the joys, all the sorrows. They are all a part of me. All a part of this past year. I could write about my best memories, but some of those memories/thoughts I just want to hold in my heart. All I know is God taught me a lot this past year. And that Jesus is with us always. Friends are one of the best gifts God has given us. But family, Family is so important. I learned that for sure. It's not about the material things.... what we have, what letters we can put behind our names, the amount of money we have, the number of "likes" we get for our social media update, the places we've been, or the way one can make everything look perfect by a picture. What matters most, and what one desires the most, is peace, happiness, hope, kindness, courage, faith, honesty, love within family, within friends.
When my bible study girlfriends meet each week, we go around the room, and each talk about our "Happy's, Crappy's, and Grace Moment" of our week. It's makes one honest, vulnerable, and open with more compassion for each other. It's one of my favorite things. It also helps me realize, we are all the same, we all struggle, we all have joyful moments, and we all need God in our lives. So maybe try to reflect on the "happy, crappy, and grace moments" of 2015 instead of the #bestnine. It just might help you see God's hands working in your life a little bit more. And I pray that you have a wonderful, special, and joyful New Year, and for God's Blessings to be upon you, your friends, and your family!
I wanted to share this with you, parts of a reflection I read this morning in Magnificat. I thought it perfect as we end another year.
"I thought picture-perfect events alone would define a lifetime of joy.
At times I question fairness and attempt to understand why.
I dwell on the impossiblity of the journey I now walk and the weight of this earthly world. The cross I carry becomes far too heavy and my knees buckle.
In my darkness I call to him. A simple whisper of his name and the weight is lifted. He wipes the dirt from my eyes.
I am reminded my strength lies not in understanding and my joy is not of this world. My joy is found in basking in the glory of today. My earthly purpose is not about creating moments to stash away and linger over when I am old. My God has a plan and a purpose-- a plan for the creation of heaven on earth. My joy lies in fulfilling his purpose."
Decided to share my two favorite moments of 2015! And just maybe my #bestnine could also be my "Blessings" :) Happy New Year!!
And then I come back to add more to this post... as I am going through my day, and see other's post their #bestnine photos from Instagram. I start thinking, the photos that are chosen are because they have the most "likes" from others. That is how the Instagram site makes the photo... what others think of us. No wonder we look so much for other's approval. What if, we, instead chose our best nine photos ourself? The ones that mean the most to us, that made the most difference in our life, the ones that have people or things that helped us throughout this past year. That's what the #bestnine should be! So we can look back and say, we have so much to be grateful for! :)
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