The Year That Was 30

Another year older, another year wiser. That's the saying right?
So today was my birthday and it turned into a very interesting one. When Isaac got sick last night, I was thinking it was going to be a bit of an unfair birthday. I mean who wants to stay home and take care of a sick kid on your birthday? Or how about being thrown up on? Well, thanks to the ladies bible class I went to last Monday night, I realized that there had to be a positive, joyful perspective that I could view these same events with. One thing I realized was that Isaac's sickness wasn't really all that bad. In fact, I took him to church with me tonight and he's doing much better. Another thing to be joyful about was that instead of hurrying off to church and going through our usually busy Sunday schedule, I got to have a more leisurely morning. And I'm very blessed to have a friend to call upon to come and take Carly to church for me. Thanks, Janet! And you know how kids just want to be held when their sick. They seem to be a bit extra clingy. Well, I knew my usually clingy guy would probably be even more so today, but instead of being bothered by it, I decided to enjoy it. I know his wanting to cuddle with me won't last forever. So we did lots of rocking and we even fell asleep on the couch together. What do you know, I got a nap on my birthday! So I realized that staying home with a sick kid on your birthday isn't really all that bad if you can just find the joy in it.

Another reason for my post tonight was a to reflect a bit on some things that I think I've learned over the past year. I've been blessed with many lessons from God but these two in particular have had a pretty big impact on my life.
The major lesson I've learned is a better insight into God's love for us, his children. As I'm sure many of you can relate, I have a better appreciation for God's love ever since having my own children. My role as a parent has shown me more clearly how God could love us in spite of our shortcomings. But on the other side of the love coin, why does God need or want our love? I mean the bible says that even if we're silent the rocks and the trees will cry out praise to God. So does he need our love in return? Well, I tend to think that he doesn't need our love like we need oxygen or water, but that our love directed to him is so pleasing that he desires it. Here's why I've come up with this idea. A few months ago, just as I was thinking about how my love for my children is similar to God's love for us, Isaac came up to me without any prompting or request and gave me a huge hug. He was just starting to give hugs at this time and really getting his arms around your neck for it. Anyway, it was with the thoughts of my love for him going through my head that I think I fully appreciated his sign of love for me. And then I realized how it must make God feel when we return love to him. Wow, if it gives God even half of the delight that I felt that day, I hope I can show my love to my heavenly father continually.

The second lesson I've learned over the past year is how I really feel about the world and nation I live in. I am so proud to live in America. Our nation is so blessed and it can be easy to take that for granted. Over the past year I followed the recent presidential race pretty closely. Even though the campaign was a bit of a roller coaster and had plenty of negativity, I really think I gained a better appreciation for our nation, it's people, and the principles it was founded on. Maybe it also has to do with my age, but this past year I almost feel like I've had a bit of a political awakening. It's just that I've started to connect some of my core beliefs to the path that I hope our nation will take in the future. I could go on with specifics, but it would make this blog post ridiculously long. I think you get the point.

So in your next year of life, I hope you'll look for and appreciate some lessons that God sends your way. Shawn pointed out to me in my birthday card today that I've lived 11,323 days. I'm not sure if that includes leap years, but that sounds like quite a bit. There have been a lot of lessons learned in those days. I pray I'm open to more in the next 365 days.

Have a blessed day!
Rachel