On January 1, a day after proposing that you and I resist “petting our peeves,” enabling us to have A HAPPIER NEW YEAR, my family was waiting for lunch to arrive at Pizza Hut. I looked up from our conversation and noticed a sweet little girl, maybe 5, sitting beside her mom in a booth, waiting for their food. Mom was looking at her phone while her well-behaved child sat beside her. Their lunch arrived. Mom kept using her phone in her left hand while holding her fork in her right hand as her daughter sat quietly eating. It bothered me. Then I realized that I was no longer paying attention to my husband and son. Dear Lisa, stop petting your peeves.
(Still, as I was writing this, a friend shared this picture on Facebook. It was drawn by her daughter who is in kindergarten.)
The explanation: That’s me looking sad and that’s you on your phone.
(sigh)
As the new year got started and my guys got back to a full work week, I held my annual Neighbors Christmas Lunch, discovering that it was more relaxing for us to sit down on January 6 and talk about the holidays just passed, than to add this event into an already busy December. It’s a small thing, but I really enjoyed making a whole pot of coffee and sharing it with the ladies rather than doing a quick K-cup. My main dish was Jambalaya, recently tested and approved by our sons and daughter-in-law. For dessert, I made Lavender Ice cream with some culinary lavender one of the neighbors had given me. It’s the kind of thing you try out on girlfriends, not men. Delicious.
The next day, as I was contemplating life, I decided to make a journey upstairs to fill a bag with clothes to give away. “Hey! Maybe I’ll do another 40 Bags in 40 Days,” I thought to myself. Prudently, I quickly nixed that idea and stuck to the one bag for today. I’ve been using a first floor room for my bedroom since my back surgery because doing the stairs is still pretty hard with my nerve damage. I’ve grown accustomed to choosing my daily clothes from a small selection I keep in the room. It’s simpler. I’d like to whittle that closet full of clothes down some more before I move back upstairs.
In the first week of 2020, I have resisted making unrealistic resolutions.
I love God’s Word, but rather than resolve to read the whole Bible in one year, I decided to read one chapter each day, identify a verse that stands out, and copy it in a notebook along with a personal application. I began with the Gospel of Matthew, a very good place to start.
Since I’m still healing from my back surgery, I did not resolve to lose the weight I’ve gained during this challenging time. I’ve continued to enjoy the holiday goodies we have left and to try not to gain additional weight.
Since getting back on my feet, I’ve kept track of my daily walking, gradually increasing my steps goal to 4000. I was hitting that pretty consistently until the weather turned colder. I’m still keeping active and challenging myself with more uphill walking, but I decided to back the goal down to 3,500 so I can have more success.
In the first week of 2020, I have made important commitments.
My husband and I began leading another Love & Respect Marriage class on January 8. After spending several years of leading classes for wives, I’m enjoying sharing the truth and power of Ephesians 5:33 with couples.
I committed to travel to my hometown at the end of this month so I can be there for a Cousins’ Lunch with my sisters, my brother, and several cousins on my dad’s side. Several aunts and an uncle have passed recently. As the organizer of the event stated, “We need each other.”
And, I have committed to participate in a women’s conference in my hometown in April, sharing with others what God has done in my life and particularly how I was able to find JOY during the difficulties of 2019.
My favorite visitors while I was recovering from surgery.
I haven’t wanted to put away our Christmas tree yet, so it continues to brighten our living room. And our Christmas village, located in my makeshift bedroom since 2018, will keep on shining for now.
You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. – Jesus (Matthew 5:14-16)