2013 — Seriously?
It seems like yesterday I was
- Heading to college,
- Planning a wedding,
- Anticipating my firstborn,
- Helping in homerooms,
- Raising two teenagers…
Those teenagers are now twenty-something and home from college.
I love having them home. There’s a comfort in the sameness each year: favorite cookies, music, ornaments, etc. Traditions link the past to the present and bring fun memories. My heart floods with joy and my mind records each moment.
Christmas long ago
They’ll soon head back to their own colleges, anticipating graduations and the lives that are ahead for them. I’m happy and proud, but at the same time…
Pensive.
Wondering what the New Year holds for us, my thoughts tangle with worry. 
Will 2013 bring
- Heartache or happiness?
- Excitement or dread?
- Adventure or boredom?
The next time I unpack these boxes…
Will I even BE HERE to unpack these boxes?
I struggled to publish these words. After all, Christians should trust with all their hearts, capture thoughts, not worry about the future… I can quote it, chapter and verse.
I know these truths.
I know they bring life.
I know they breathe peace.
But there are times, especially after the holidays, when I wrestle. I pack decorations, stow boxes, dust shelves, wipe counters, vacuum floors…
I know God has things under control, but…
I can’t help but wonder what lies ahead.
Do you?
I’ll be blogging about this for the next couple of weeks, so be sure to check in on Wednesdays and share your thoughts. For now,
I hear you, Susan. I tend to forge ahead nonetheless, looking forward to different plans we have made. I know that they may not come to pass, that we may hold a yard sale instead of taking a vacation in TN (that was last year
), but we will still work to be grateful in all circumstances. Sometimes it is harder than others. . .
So true, Kim. Some days are very hard, but looking ahead – particularly toward something good – is great to keep our spirits up! So glad you stopped by today. Happy New Year to your happy fam
I thought I was the only one who pondered whether or not I’d be here the following year to unpack my Christmas things. Thank you for your transparency, Susan. I struggle with depression so I especially have to stay on guard with my worrisome thoughts or I will be on a downward spiral before I know it. When I do consider the possibilities that lie ahead in 2013, I try to lean into God’s Word instead of my feelings. It’s not easy and I fail often, but that’s the desire of my heart. I look forward to your new Wednesday series, my friend.
I hear you, Cathy. Feelings have to be owned, but can’t be trusted. My daughter’s favorite verse is Jeremiah 17:9,
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. Who can know it?
There’s a good story as to why that’s her favorite, but we’ve come back to that so many times over the years! So glad you took time to stop by today. Hope you have a fun day with Piper, and a very happy new year!
Susan, I totally relate to this. I think as I get older each holiday brings something new. Sometimes the new is something wonderful, like another new grand child that we didn’t have at our last family Christmas, sometimes its a new ache or pain and I wonder “well where did that come from”. Paul and I were just discussing how over the past five Christmas we have experienced the loss of a close friend or relative and this really makes me realize that I’m not promised another Christmas or birthday or even another new day. That does make me somewhat sad, because I love my family and I always want to be able to unpack my favorite Christmas china and make everything wonderful and special them and the thought of me not being physically able or even worse not being here at all is hard to do that makes me sad. I guess I just want them to have the very best that I have to offer … And then I am reminded of what God gave me. He gave me His very best. He didn’t tuck anything back in a kitchen cabinet or dresser drawer for later, He wrapped up his very best for an undeserving me. Wow! but since I don’t know what my earthly future hold, I do worry. I am human and I want to stay here with my husband and family for many more years. I sure hope that is God’s plan as well, because Paul and I just bought a bigger house so we can better entertain our ever growing family. I sure am looking forward to our first Christmas in this wonderful new house … And then many more. So this year when I pack up Christmas the china and decorations they will be headed to a different storage closet … And I don’t know right now where I will find them again next Christmas but I am sure that where ever they are they will be found. I’m praying, as I do every year, that they will be found my me! But Unlike these decorations I know that God knows exactly where I will be next Christmas and who will find me! Which makes me have to trust that He is not finished with me here and won’t be for awhile longer. Guess I said all of this to say, it really is all about trust.
Marcha, I’m so glad you took time to read and comment. I think we all wrestle with the “what ifs” but you’re so right about God giving us the best. And if we’re NOT here to unpack the stuff and make the holidays special, our families will miss us but we’ll be having the ultimate best!
I saw the pic of your house on Facebook. It’s GORGEOUS, and I’m so glad you found something so close to Paul’s office and the grands’ school. I know you were praying about that, so I’m glad He chose to answer so soon!
So goes the saying, “Time flies”….I also wonder where time has gone. My ‘baby’ was 15 1/2 years old when he went to be with Jesus and now this year I am coming up on the 10th anniversary of his death! What? It was JUST YESTERDAY that I was kissing him……..
However, on this same note, God has been so good to us. He waited two years after Clay’s passing to give us a grand-daughter….and that’s just what we needed….new life, and a little girl.
I’m excited to see where 2013 takes us! God has been so very good to me and I’m ready to serve Him, wherever He leads!
Thank you so much for this blog, Susan. It brings me SUCH joy!!! Love you! ♥
Wow, 10 years. That’s quite a milestone, but I know you still miss Clay. You’ve taught me a lot about embracing the joy of the day, and I can’t wait to see what 2013 brings. I love you too and I’m praying He sends us somewhere together!
Oh so thankful that we know Who holds the future!
I miss you, love you, and keep you in my prayers!
Yes we do, and our future is BRIGHT. Thanks for praying for us. I’ll send the follow-up soon. Can’t wait to see you. We need to go ahead and plan something! Love you
I love this time of year! Christmas is such a fun time and I get to see family more than usual. And btw, I enjoy that too. Taking down the decorations and getting back to normal can be a bit sad. But I always look forward to what the Lord will bring in the new year. I don’t dread it because …He has been so faithful seeing me through several very difficult years. So I know that whatever lies ahead, He is with me. So I’m fine and …not blue.
Happy New Year Susan!
Blessings and love,
Debbie
Thanks for stopping by, Debbie. Yes, no matter what – He is with us, so all is well
Blessings to you in 2013!
hmmmm, Yesterday Mark was taking down the Christmas Tree and he said ” well, we would never know if this will be the last Christmas we will have together” and I said yep, God knows if it is” So we should just enjoy what we have now.
But there is always something to look forward to, weddings, birthday parties, children’s visit, grand children’s visit , friends visits, and many more visits. I sort of looking thru a telescope when I begin to look at the moments in life i.e. problems and adversities…it makes it too small, but if I look at the moments and adversities in a microscope then it is so big for me to handle. I cherish the NOW for now. Oh and by the way I don’t look forward to my upcoming surgery in Jan. 8th, doc said I can’t talk for 2 days, oh my, knowing me, thank you facebook I can still chat on line. 
will give you details about it. 
love ya Sus.
Yikes, surgery next week?? YES, you HAVE to bring me up to speed with that. And YES, PTL for Facebook. Give sweet Mark a rest and type until your fingers bleed
Love you!
In these days of disappointment with what we intelligently understand to be less than encouraging financially, emotionally, and mentally, it’s hard to keep that plastered smile of optimistic joy on ones face. At least that’s my confession. But just a spark inside the darkness of my doubts still brings with it the ray of hope to eliminating my own personal darkness. That spark often arrives to me by way of visually witnessing God’s creation…the bluebirds that visit the feeders, the rainbow at sunrise, the sunset all ablaze just before the long evening of darkness arrives at 5PM. These are things that make my life happy and lift my gloom. But when it rains and all is quiet outside, I tank my vitamin B complex, wash it down with Simply orange juice, and chase that with a dark chocolate chunk, all without guilt! Works for me!!!
Thanks, Aunt Cherry
I’m not a fan of these short days, but I do like hunkering down at night and rising early to see the sunrise. You’re so right – seeing God’s handiwork in creation is a great reminder that He’s in control. That’s a definite mood-lifter!
Happy 2013!
Susan, to add to the post holiday blues, I’ve had a bout of the flu for the past 7 days. That’s been a real downer and made it even more difficult to be cheerful. But I’ve tried to be patient with myself, use the “rest time” to memorize Scripture, and allow my contemplations to inspire me to really get moving when I finally get the chance. But I hear you loud and clear. Thanks for such an honest and transparent post.
Oh Kay, I’m so sorry to hear you’ve been down with the flu! Bummer, especially since your daughter was home for break. Hope you’re on the mend and ease into the new year.
Thanks for stopping by today!
Susan, I’m gonna be honest here, and it’s not going to be very spiritual.
I traditionally feel overwhelmed during the holidays and afterwards as I see all that I have to do to catch up and start–again–on taxes and organization. Yes, I begin the new year thinking about the business side of things. My goodness, it feels like April 15 was just yesterday, and here we are, having to start on all that mess again.
I love the Lord, trust in Him, have a word for the year, consistently study His Word, and am active in ministry, but I must admit, I often become overwhelmed. As we’ve discussed before, I’m not organized, so that contributes a lot to my frustration in ministry/business.
But one thing I can say, just getting to work on January 2 to count book inventory, finalize my car mileage for taxes, and having a schedule helps me feel that I’m being proactive in the bookkeeping end of things and maybe…just maybe…this will be the year that taxes aren’t so frustrating and I’ll finally have a handle on the schedule and the To-Do list.
With new, fresh mileage books, a new inventory sheet, and a schedule planned out to cover all that needs to be done each week, I have organizational hope. And that helps me break from the after-Christmas downers.
At least for a few days…until the first unscheduled interruption comes!
Okay, the schedule says I’m supposed to be writing right now, so I’d better go.
Happy New Year!
The “unspiritual” comments are my favorites, Vonda. They’re honest!
For what it’s worth, I’m overwhelmed too. A part of me is glad for a new year, and another part dreads it because it seems like more of the same. And then a curveball comes, like when I tripped on the stairs last night and rolled my ankle. Now I’m “rice”-ing and trying to stay off it, which is easier said than done.
Thanks for the reminder to have organizational hope. I need to get writing myself!
Blessings to you in 2013!
I look forward to your series! I don’t know that I get post-holiday blues. It seemed like my children had it this year. They all got very mopy on Monday. At the end of the day, I said we should have all gone for a walk. I think sometimes we just need some fresh air and an experience with creation.
Amen to going for a walk! I see that you’re settling in and feeling content in your new place. I’m so glad to hear that, Tereasa. Can’t wait to see what 2013 holds for your family.
Thanks for stopping by today!
Susan,
~ Love out from Maine, Amy
Your honesty is so helpful. I’m looking forward to reading more about this. May we both discover more fruit of His Spirit, and fall into the heart of God clearer than ever! HAPPY NEW YEAR back girl… thanks for visiting with me at my place too.
Thanks, Amy! AMEN and hugs to you from VA
Hi Susan,
I’m enjoying your writing and comments at Tribewriters.
This piece is great. Oh, worry – worry, I wish I could ditch it and I know He tells me to. The first line I ever memorized was Phil. 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything…” Now to take it to heart, again and again.
Many blessings to you!
Thanks, Karin! Phil 4 is a favorite at my house, and vv6-8 are my husband’s life verses! Yes, if that was our first response.
So glad you stopped by today!
Susan, I so appreciate your openness about going through a swing of thoughts and emotions at the beginning of a new year. Christmas 2012 might not have happened if my children and husband had not agreed to make it happen at our home. Dealing with a higher level of chronic pain made the holidays harder for me but with massages, muscle rub and off the shelf pain reliever tablets, I made it through the festivities that Bob and the children planned and carried out and washed up afterwards.
Facing a surgery in a few weeks, I waver between fear and eagerness. Then, I have my concerns about Kristen’s future. Bob is encouraging me, ” Judy, just keep looking at God, His attributes and His ways! Looking forward to you praying with me before my surgery. Love, Judy
Thanks so much for taking time for me today, Judy. I’m glad the fam rallied around you and helped with the Christmas preparations. There’s nothing wrong with everyone pitching in to help!
I’m praying for you as you prepare for surgery. Hopefully we can meet for coffee soon, but I’m looking forward to praying with you before.
Blessings to you and the family in 2013!
Dear Susan, thank you so much for this post and for your honesty. I typically am depressed and overwhelmed before Christmas and feel very relieved when it is all over. This year I made it through a very hectic December without any major meltdowns, thank The Lord! We cleaned up the house and put away the decorations very quickly after Christmas, it depresses me to look at them for too long. I guess I have it all backwards. But since beginning to learn about and observe Advent, it has made such a difference for me. I like turning over a new calendar page for a new year. I think I am in the stage of life of it all flying by so quickly. My kids are 15, 14, 11, 8 and 5. Raising a high schooler has been a huge challenge. But I decided that my word for the year is “presence”. I am going to focus on being in His presence and being more present with those I love. I will be watching your blog with interest, and thinking of you. Blessings,
Debbie
I’m so glad to see you here, Debbie, and I appreciate YOUR honesty. Holidays aren’t always “all that,” are they? I’m glad to see that observing Advent has made a difference in your approach. I didn’t grow up with it and my church doesn’t observe it, but I do in my personal time and I think it’s a wonderful way to prepare my heart.
I like that your word is Presence. I know God will honor that. As for being present for your kids, you’ll find that makes a big difference in your relationship with each of them. I’m convicted about that since we all have handheld devices that distract us. And sometimes I’m the chief offender!
Blessings to you and your family in 2013
My hubby and I JUST had this conversation! It’s almost scary… looking forward to your posts, friend.
I wonder if everybody entertains those thoughts! Thanks for stopping by, Nikki. It’s good to be back!
Hmm. Uncertain futures (in human terms) are my perpetual frustration — I really like control, you see.
But for some reason, January always fills me with uncharacteristic optimism. I look forward to following this thread through the next few weeks. Thanks, Susan. Press on, friend!
Thanks for stopping by, Kirsten. I’m with you – I like control, or at least the illusion of control
Once everything is packed up and cleaned up, my mood improves considerably!
Stopping by from TribeWriters. Love your bloggy world here. Can’t wait to read more.
So glad you came by, Alene! Looking forward to reading some of your pieces!
Susan, I want to send you big hugs that will make the angst go away. So sorry. But I am confident that He who holds your heart in His hands will breathe peace on you. Regardless of what the year holds for us we have an advantage…we KNOW the One who holds tomorrow and He promises to keep us, walk and talk with us, provide for us and never harm us.
Praying that He will whisper peace to your precious heart tonight and that your joy will be doubled for the duration of their visit. <3
Hi there, Diana. Thanks so much for your prayers and encouragement. Yes, His promises are the very things that keep us going, aren’t they? So regardless of what 2013 brings, we know He’ll make everything right.
Hugs to you as you continue helping with cleanup. I hope you and your fam had a wonderful Christmas!
I too, have lots of question marks in my mind right now about 2013 – many of which should be answered within the month, but could (depending) open a whole new set of question! – but I’m really trying to focus on living each day as it comes remembering Matthew 6:34 – “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” God has been gracious in giving me peace to the point that I’m blown away by peace right now regardless of various outcomes. Thankful.
Thankful. A great way to start the new year. I’m moving into that mode myself
Thanks for stopping by, Jeannette.
Susan, If it helps, I struggle with the same doubts, and then feel guilty for not trusting in God. Time and again He has proved his faithfulness, and yet, my flesh is quite weak, my worry very ready. Honestly, I wasn’t too sad until I read this- and I thought- that will be me someday- all the kids will be gone. Thank you for the reminder to treat every moment as a gift. It’s one of my goals for 2013. I will definitely be coming back for this very thought provoking discussion, and I look forward to your inspiration!
Thanks, Julia. I think we all wonder from time to time, especially around milestone dates/events. You’re right — time flies, so enjoy all those busy days with your kids!
So good! I live your transparency and boldness in owning up to it!!
One thing that’s helped me, is to make my plans for what I can!! I HATE the after Christmas doldrums, so I’m sure to look PAST Christmas by the time Christmas is here. Put lots of things on my calendar for down the road – even if they are simple things like weekly meetings and gatherings. I learned to do this when my middle child and her hubby lived overseas, and it helped me celebrate better!
I also have mentally made my plans for other things; I can’t control when I go, or what my DH does then, but I have a list of things that I want to do if he passes first! Not morbid, but God pleasing!! Mission trips to places he’s not interested/called to go, new ways to serve, things Gods put on my heart! I think it’s going to be exciting to not be a stay at home and let the world pass me by kind of widow!
Of course, my prayer is that He will take me first, so I don’t have to face the sorrow of missing DH….but only God knows those details!!
Thanks for sharing!!
Thanks so much for being so open, Marina. Maybe God will change your DH’s heart? We could pray to that end! Personally, I’m hoping for us all to be raptured at the Thanksgiving table. I think that’d be cool
So glad you stopped by today.