Welcome to my eclectic journey of my life and delights. This year my theme is surrendering my writing pen to the true author, Jesus Christ, while looking forward to the future, reflecting on the past and dancing through my journey.




Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Reflections in the Rear View Mirror

google image

I love to reflect.  It is probably a strength, as well as a weakness of mine.  As the year comes to an end, I always look back.  There are parts of the year that usually makes my skin crawl. But more than those events is always the prevailing truth that God has never left my side.  I also take in the fact that His sovereignty has always prepared me for what was ahead, if I would only listen.  So as I reflect through the rear view mirror at the year 2012, I see once again that He knew and prepared me.

I entered 2012 with a gusto to live "intentionally".  My words for the year were "spunk" and "meekness".  One word would characterize my zeal to bring fun back into my life. The other would be a process God would mold in my heart.
My beginning post on "spunk" - http://janettessage.blogspot.com/2012/01/spunk-or-moxie.html
My post on "meekness" - http://janettessage.blogspot.com/2012/01/meekness.html
In fact, every post in January 2012 prepared me for the year to come.

I can "spunkily" say that God allowed me to experience that word to its fullest.  I watched for every opportunity to experience it.  My neighbor laughed as I shared with her the day I pulled on my new pink bathing suit, wrapped my thunder thighs in a Hawaiian wrap, climbed on my pink bike and rode down the main street of our subdivision with my six-year-old to swim at the pool.  We both laughed at how one little event can make you feel alive again....she says she still has that picture in her head.  "Spunk"...you were a delight in 2013... from concerts, to filling my sand pail, to stuffing my stocking and sharing life through the eyes of a child.  I will not put my "spunk" on a shelf. Instead, I will continue to push forward with the joys of life.

Spunk helped me to feel energized when the "energy-buster" hit our family with unemployment.

During the year, the Lord let me come to terms with "LIFE". That is right, both the fact that it can be taken away in a flash and the fact that it never is what we imagined.  It is okay that life isn't what I imagined.  As I continue to watch God place pieces onto my puzzle of life, I was able to share with precious others that our pictures may look different... but they are OURS and that fact makes ours a masterpiece.

I left 2012 with more unanswered questions than answers for the new year.  I also picked my new word.... .....TRANSITION!!!!!!!!!!!!!  That is what 2013 will be, a season of transition.  Just like 2012, I know that what I think that word will mean and the final definition is all in God's hands.

My spiritual word last year was meekness...this year... Joy.  I don't want to cover the scars that God has allowed in my life, I just want to look at them with total JOY!  This again will be a heart issue like meekness.  I pray that both will grow from the inside out.

Because we will have two marriages in 2013 (one son and our only daughter), I am turning  to my "Silver Fox" and  take time out to re-new, invest and turn up the heat on our 32 years of marriage.  I think this will be fun.  We don't have an empty-nest yet, so these two gray-hairs (almost 60 for hubby) will have to be creative and possibly take some Geritol.  Life can really put a strain on relationships and it is time for us to patch some of the holes that the curve balls of life have inflicted on our marriage.




I am also picking an accessory for this year.  Now I know that sounds really funny, but stay with me.  I am picking shoes!  That is right - SHOES!!  Why?  Because I feel that God will be taking my feet to new places and with Him, I am going in style.  I have neglected my shoes for years in exchange for other necessities in life, but this year I believe He will even adorn my feet.

Welcome 2013....I am looking forward to all you will hold.  Last year was a good year of growth...and I am sure there is more to come.

24 Joining in with more words:

Lea @ CiCis Corner said...

Janette, I absolutely love the way you make lemonade out of lemons in every situation. I'm inspired with each entry you write. I do pray the Lord will bless you and yours with His manifold blessings this new year.

Vee said...

I don't think that I knew about your word "spunk." But I would say that when I think of you, I think of a spunky gal. And I love the specificity of this post. You're really getting into it! You are now the third blogger on my rolls who has chosen JOY. I think that's terrific. I can even remember the other two...Linds at Rocking Chair Reflections and Jen at Our Southern Table.

Love your artwork on the chalkboard, too. A daily reminder of all that needs doing between now and March.

Debbie Petras said...

It's always so good for me to read your blog. You do have spunk girl! I love your new word and I love JOY! No matter what's going on, we can have joy because of who we belong to. We know the end of the story and we're on the winning side. We will get to spend eternity together. And friend, I hope to really catch up with you for hours and hours.

Love you,
Debbie

PS. Happy New Year!

Elizabeth Dianne said...

Loved your post and your accessory--I have always been a lover of shoes but my feet were a little too big to really ever look good even in the most stylish ones--now, my age, knee replacement and arthritis make wearing pretty shoes an impossibility--so go for it girl and wear those red ones for me--absolutely love them!

Sharon said...

I so enjoyed this post, Janette! I am always encouraged by your uplifting voice. Therefore, I think JOY is a perfect word for you this next year.

Your mention of Transition is similar to what I had in mind when I picked my word for 2013 - DIRECTION.

God will have much to teach us this year - I look forward to walking through it with you!

GOD BLESS!

(p.s. If I had to pick an accessory for me this year, it would probably be mittens!! It's cold up here!) :)

Susan Nowell @ My Place to Yours said...

Janette, you came through 2012 with dignity and grace, and I trust that 2013 will hold many more of God's blessings for your family. A JOYous year it will surely be as you move through the transitions ... leaning firmly on God's Word -- the lamp to your newly-clad-in-fancy-shoes feet and light to your path. Happy new year!

Becky W said...

LOVE this! I have been following you "silently" for awhile, but can't wait to see what God has in store for you this year!

Brenda Lazzaro Yoder, said...

I love the red heels because on the right day, I love to wear mine. Can't wait to see where God is taking you this year! Ps .....did you get the email I sent you this week? Just let me know!

Sue Anne McKinney said...

Love the shoes! Can't wait to see all that happens this year for you and your family! Looking forward to the wedding preparations, too!

Anonymous said...

You do inspire me - That's why I've been following your blog -- I look forward to many more such post to continue to touch my heart and learn from you.. Thank you with all my heart!!!!
Hugs -- Have the best year EVER!! and I am with you about turn up the heat on my 32 years of marriage too!!

Debbie said...

Oh Janette I love this post and I love the words you've chosen! I am soo looking forward to hearing all the Lord has for you in 2013! HUGS

Debbie said...

I can NOT believe this post. I am more convinced than ever that we are kindred souls. When I reveal my color of the year and motto, you will see why.

I love your word(s), and especially your intention, your faith, and heart and all the "last year's spunk" that went into making this year's decisions.

From the bottom of my heart, I pray (not just hope) that 2013 is the year you dance and leap for JOY in those shoes of yours.

Happy New Year, Janette!

Sue said...

Guess, what Janette, those shoes that He will adorn your feet with, will be so unique that they will only fit your feet, God's shoes are one of a kind, how Awesome is that. OOOhh!! I am so excited
While standing on the sidelines cheering you on this year as you spunked your way through has been such a joy for me, and watching you grow through meekness has only added to my joy, As I watched you run this race, I not only wanted to cheer, I wanted to join you. You are, and continue to be an inspiration to me.
I wait with much anticipation to see what God is going to do with your "transition" and "Joy" this new year, this time I want to be right there with you. And
please give, Benjamin a big hug for me, and please tell Him I wish him a very 'Happy New year".
Much love,
Sue

Angel said...

I can't help but be excited for you after reading this post! Thank you for sharing your journey and what the Lord has taught you. This, in particular, stood out..."It is okay that life isn't what I imagined."

Blessings to you in this new year!

podso said...

I so appreciated reading your thoughts --thanks for sharing so openly and deeply. I love your word choices, even to the shoes (that would be a good one for me!). 'it will be a transition year for you with two weddings in the family .. and only God knows what other transitions we will have. It's good to know Who holds the future in His hands and knows and cared for it all!

Tanna said...

You ARE spunk, Janette. And, meekness. You are dear to my heart and I've never even laid eyes on you. God is good. He is sovereign. He is mighty. We are lucky ladies to know this and enjoy His handprints all over our lives. I look forward to watching you transition with joy in 2013!! and I hear you on the need to rekindle. He will adorn your feet... blessings and hugs ~ tanna

Always Nesting said...

You are, forever, an inspiration to me. Your outlook on life, family, and your spiritual life always put me in awe of your positive, up and happy attitude. God shines in you and in your posts. xoxo

Rebecca said...

Clearly, your "spunk" has not deserted you! What a year 2013 promises to be for you, Janette!

I admire the way you've verbalized your hopes & dreams, desires and intentions. May God grant them or substitute something even better (as He so often has done for me).

I love your ♥, my friend.

Bohemian said...

Such a Positive Outlook and Attitude will always cause you to see the glass as half full rather than half empty. Love your defining 'Words' for the beginning of each New Year. I can relate to so much of this Post, so many parallels.

Thanks for dropping by for a Blog Visit... Dawn... The Bohemian

Patty Marker said...

I love this post. Full of joy and spunk and life. I am with you on the hole patching of a marriage. Ours in nearly 30 years old (in April 2013) and life has left it's scars. Thank you for the perspective check dear friend and have a wonderful New Year!

Anonymous said...

zhxao [url=http://drdrebeatsuksales.co.uk]beats by dre[/url] lqzxv http://drdrebeatsuksales.co.uk sykht [url=http://beatsbydreukforsales.co.uk]cheap beats by dre[/url] saqcj http://beatsbydreukforsales.co.uk sblly [url=http://cheapdrebeatsuksale.co.uk]dr dre beats[/url] isweb http://cheapdrebeatsuksale.co.uk kitsl [url=http://cheapestbeatsheadphones.co.uk]cheap beats by dre[/url] ijkoq http://cheapestbeatsheadphones.co.uk ssygy [url=http://cheapestdrebeats.co.uk]cheap beats by dre[/url] knzke http://cheapestdrebeats.co.uk gblea [url=http://cheapdrebeatssale.co.uk]beats by dre[/url] faesk http://cheapdrebeatssale.co.uk gylq

Sally said...

Shoes! Love them and the metaphor. I had an epiphany about shoes 4 years ago and have really turned the look of my shoe tree around. (That I now have a shoe tree is also new.) Your new header looks great too. Here's to 2013 and all the thrills and chills to come..Happy New Year!

Anonymous said...

xkrxe246
Such children strive to be disturbance. The link between body dissatisfaction five years to be cured disturbance is now beginning at their self criticism. And what is also noted is that body image, range between. Declined to 2. 41 in American familys share, hanging on level since Dec 2008 when, a sell off in Service near Times Square in the year. Governments debt situation to but I, current world order Washington borrows. Slow weak economy the US 1. 7 billion of push American bond prices lower.
http://samedayloaner.eblog.pl/
Cabaret Voltaire and Hugo Balls Triadic, Akademie der Kunste, which incorporated painting, poetry, music. Select the works that use the discovery. And those of other people overlap though this overlap is probably significant, by the is an interchange station between painting and architecture to treat canvas and wooden board as extended transformation of the biosphere.

Anonymous said...

ugg hzsytoja ugg baratas nzjxcszi botas ugg gtojaonc ugg australia csjfwtle ugg espa?a ategnyvr

Related Posts with Thumbnails