On the Calendar

So...I was putting things on my calendar (*the book*) today and came across this quote pre-printed there during the week of Abbey's birthday:

"life consists not in holding good cards, but in playing those you hold well" Josh Billings

Got me to thinkin' 'bout my growing up years and playing card games with my mom, dad, and brothers. My dad used to call this "run what you brung" during family games of Hearts. After I learned the game, I loved that round! Guess I'm just Type A enough to prefer the *knowingness* of building a strategy with a known quantity. I hated those previous hands...you know, where you swap 3 cards across or around the table? Well, OK, it's probably more to the point to say that I hated the part where I didn't know which 3 cards I was going to get--didn't mind getting rid of the 3 that were going to cause me problems! But my baby bro was a PRO at managing to give me almost EXACTLY what I thought I'd rid myself of. And the other brother, well, he was just good at messing you up no matter what. Dad and Mom are card sharks and always handed over a pile of whatever that made you scratch your head...UNTIL you figured out what they were doing. (tee hee hee)

I mean, think about it...who couldn't find three things in their lives they'd love to trade away?

Me.

No, really. I think I'd still rather work with what I've got, thanks.

Thank you, God for giving me the chance to "run what I've brung" in this life...and the opportunity to see Your plan revealed as those cards are played.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28 NIV

UN-Resolutions ??

Okay, so now it’s 2008. A few days in, actually. And I am STILL wondering how this happened. “WHAT happened?” you ask.

2008.

Yes, how on earth did 2008 happen? I mean it seems like it was mere days ago that I was figuring out how old I’d be in the year 2000. (Yes, it was a dorky thing to do, but--for you youngsters out there who don’t remember--before the millennium hit, everyone was wondering random stuff like that about the year 2000.) Here I am, 8 years into the new era and scratching my head, agreeing with pithy statements like “gee, time flies.” GACK.

But I’ve decided to take a different tack. New Year’s Resolutions are great…everyone could stand to find SOMEthing to improve upon in their lives. Reflection is a wonderful thing—and societal acceptance and encouragement of said reflection is even more wonderful. And yes, there are things I hope to change this year—the usual lose weight, exercise more, spend less, yada, yada, yada.

But, I’m kinda tired of the negativity innate in the process of making those little personal improvement plans.

SO…I’m also thinking about things I DO NOT want to change this year…things that I like about who I am, where I’m going and how I’m getting there.

I know I’m a work in progress…but I LIKE that! I hope we all are…and I pray that I will continue to grow and change right up ‘til I meet Jesus. I like that I am (mostly) able to embrace the ‘in progress’ nature of myself and those around me. (Admittedly, not so much on the commute. *sigh*)

I like that my kids have learned to make creative messes. That we like to dabble with all sorts of art forms and expression. That they like to look beyond the basics of a task and think about more interesting approaches and are willing to explore.

I like using 50 cent words. I like that my kids are learning to use big words, too, and don’t back down from a pronunciation or spelling challenge!

Asking questions is a good thing. Asking thoughtful questions is even better…I like that the kiddles are good at asking about anything and everything. (except sometimes forgetting to ask for that cookie…)

It has taken me this long to acknowledge that I’m fine looking like I look. So I’m not a supermodel; statuesque ladies like me will never find positive images in the media. I’ve never been a petite flower and never will be. And guess what???! IT’S OK!!

I like that I still like to dance and enjoy “young music’…Heaven forbid I should start thinking Paul Sedaka is cool.

I like that this parenting thing is teaching me something new each day…and that we are a family open to learning from each other.

A challenge for you…what do you resolve NOT to change this year?

If you’re like me, that question is harder to answer, if only because we are sooooo conditioned to look for the flaws in our lives.