November Emotions and Ohana

Ohana - Chandler named our new home after Lilo and Stitch - Very appropriate - in their words, "Ohana means family and family means no one is left behind." Love my oldest.

 

November has turned into a month of mixed emotions. Three years ago this week, my life was turned upside down by abandonment. Yet, at the same time, this time next week, my boys and I will hopefully be standing in a new home ready to build a new life with new memories. I am so thankful at this time that God has allowed us to move in this direction. As much as I would love to have the rocky mountains out the window in view, I am more than content to be surrounded by so many friends, family and a wonderful church family that has supported us in these last three years.

Even though there are days of struggle, I am still filled with hope. In the midst of heartache at times, I look out and see the blessings that surround me. In the midst of loneliness at times, I am filled with the presence of the one true God who is crazy about me, my kids, and has a plan that is much greater than mine could ever be constructed.

All of this said...I sit here like a child on Christmas Eve not being able to wait to see what is under the tree as Santa has just rocketed out of sight. What a gift! Not just the house. The gift of newness. The gift of starting over. What is in my future? Who knows? I have stopped attempting to guess, plan and plot. Enjoying the journey one day at a time is just that. One day at a time.

My journey this week has been up and down. Depression and exhilaration. Reliving the past when I didn't want to...dreaming of the future and what it holds when I reached for hope. The past can be painful. The future a daunting task. The present? Well, the present is what we make of it built upon our foundation of truth. Living in the moment works well when our outlook is that of a strong foundation, positive mindset and trajectory that shoots for the stars.

Paul's words could not be more meaningful than this week, "Press forward...forget what lies behind...press on to the upward call of Christ." Being a cyclist, my picture is not of the foot race that Paul paints, but the final sprint of a big race where I am hammering out the pedals with my eye on the prize...the finish line. I can't look behind. I will lose my line. I can't look beside me. I will lose the strength in my pedal stroke. I must keep my eyes fixed on the finish line.

November...a month that will always be filled with raw emotion for me. A month that will now also remind me of newness. Starting over. A month where I focus on the prize...finishing the race strong. Hammering away to the finish. Full of emotion. Full of exhilaration. Full of Life!

                                    

My grace is sufficient for you...One Day At A Time!