The Grass is Always Greener...

OK...I know it's been awhile since I've written anything on here. Almost seven months, in fact. I won't make any excuses. Lots of other things started occupying my time, and I just haven't made the time to write. There have been a TON of times that I thought, that would make a perfect blog post, but I just never got around to getting on the computer and doing it. I won't make any promises I can't keep, and I'm not one who's big on New Year's resolutions, but I will say I'm going to try and get on here much more than have I over the past year!

I think it's normal that at this time of year everyone starts reflecting on the previous year. We look back at what we did...and what we didn't do. We look at our success and our failures, our gains and our losses, the challenges we faced and the obstacles we overcame. I think it's also normal that everyone is looking forward to the New Year with all of the possibilities that it holds. It's like a fresh start every 365 days. I've always looked at it that way, too. But this year, I'm looking at it much differently...

I'm sure you've heard the old saying, the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. But, isn't it true? For some reason, we are never content with what we have. We always look for something different to make us happy. Around January 1, it's the prospect of a New Year that we look to. The grass during 2012 wasn't quite green enough, but maybe 2013 will have grass that's just a little bit greener.

It would be VERY easy for me to say exactly that, especially after the year we've had! But, guess what? I said that last year after the horrible 2011 we had. We were so anxious to say goodbye to 2011. We were so excited to put all of that behind us and move into 2012. But, 2012 has had its own challenges for us. It has been equally trying and stressful. And it would be so easy to say, once again, "I am SO glad this year is over!" But, not this time!

Here's where my attitude has changed. In 2011, we dealt with a LOT!!! But, when we said that we were so glad 2011 was over and behind us, we were neglecting to recognize all the amazing things that happened during that year. For example, even though Matt was in the hospital for 21 days, and it was one of the most exhausting, trying experiences I've ever had, God went to work during that time. Out of that situation came a new church home for us filled with some of the most caring, loving people we've ever met! And many of them are now very dear friends to us. Had he not been in the hospital, those things might have never happened. And the same holds true for 2012. We have been through a lot this year as well. I could make a list, but I'll spare you the details! But, a lot of really wonderful things have happened too! So, this year instead of saying, "Thank goodness 2012 is over! I'm ready to start over in 2013!" I'm going to say lots of prayers thanking God for the hundreds of ways He's blessed us this year. I'm going to thank Him for using the adversity I faced to make me a better person. I'm going to thank Him for holding me up when I couldn't hold myself up. I'm going to thank Him for giving me a joy that can't be taken away by anything that could ever possibly happen to me. And, I'm going to ask Him to continue to use me and work through me in 2013. Happy New Year!

However many years anyone may live, let them enjoy them all. But let them remember the days of darkness, for there will be many. ~Ecclestiastes 11:8