cheers! to hope.

Well, I guess it's expected to have some sort of new years blogpost.

And there is a lot I could write as I reflect back over 2012. It's been an interesting year for me.

I can honestly say, 100%, it looked nothing like I thought it would. And I had big "thoughts" concerning 2012. ha.

Despite anything I thought I should have done or done differently or not done... I am thankful.

Because I'm convinced the secret to life is thankfulness. (Psalm 100) 

So instead of musing out loud with you guys on all the lessons I learned in the past year, I thought I'd just share something I read in the book I am currently reading. (All is Grace - Brennan Manning's autobiography)

And this section actually comes from his book dedication...the people he dedicates the book to, but as I was reading, it brought me so much hope. 

Because as you'll see...he is describing different people and their journey through life. And we all relate to one or another of those listed. 

As a new year approaches, I can't help but think of what great hope there is for all of us. No matter what happened in the past year...there is still enough Grace for each of us. And when we view people as the broken vessels, flawed and imperfect, that we all are...we love better. 

In the end, that's the only New Years Resolution worth fighting for in my opinion...to love others better. To meet people where they're at. To accept the good, the bad, the annoying. To love when there is no personal gain. 

Because what is losing weight, or getting a promotion, or running a marathon, or starting a new hobby...if we don't love others?

So this year I'll raise my glass to Hope. Hope for all of us....

for the one who thought he'd be farther along by now, but he's not.

the inmate who promised the parole board he'd be good, but he wasn't.

the dim-eyed who showed the path to others but kept losing his way.

the wet-brained who believed if a little wine is good for the stomach, then a lot is great.

the liar. the tramp. the thief.

the disciple whose cheese slid off his cracker so many times he said "to hell with cheese n' crackers."

the young at heart but old of bone who is led these days in a way he'd rather not go.

but also...the gentle ones who've lived among the wolves. 

for those who've broken free of collar to romp in fields of love and marriage and divorce.

for those who mourn, who've been mourning most of their lives, yet they hang on to shall be comforted.

for those who've dreamed of entertaining angels but found instead a few friends of great price.

for the younger and elder prodigals who have come to their senses

again, and again, and again, and again.

for those who strain at pious piffle because they've been swallowed by Mercy itself.

for "myself" and those who have been around the block enough times that we dare to whisper the ragamuffin's rumor -

all is grace.

-brennan manning

happy new year, y'all!

"Every time we make the decision to love someone, we open ourselves to great suffering, because those we most love cause us not only great joy but also great pain. The greatest pain comes from leaving. When the child leaves home, when the husband or wife leaves for a long period of time or for good, when the beloved friend departs to another country or dies...the pain of leaving can tear us apart.

Still, if we want to avoid the suffering of leaving, we will never experience the joy of loving. And love is stronger than fear, life stronger than death, hope stronger than despair. We have to trust that the risk of loving is always worth the taking."

- Henri J.M. Nouwen

faster, faster, we need another master!

Happy Graduation to these two!!

Proud of both of yas.

little rays of sunshine.

Giving frees us from the familiar territory of our own needs by opening our mind to the unexplained worlds occupied by the needs of others.

I met these two little beauties this morning at the weekly lunch we have for the homeless in the area.

I wish I could tell you I went there willing and ready to serve....but I didn't. In fact, I went 45 minutes late because I really didn't want to be there. I was tired and feeling a little under the weather.

After a few minutes of being there, these kiddos came up to hang out. And have me help them peel their oranges. :)
Funny, how the minute we take our eyes of ourselves, look to others and their needs, we forget our problems and worries.
Looking at these sweet girls, and seeing how little they have, I suddenly felt so thankful.

Funny how that works, huh?