01.16.09
New Year, New Life
As 2009 begins, I encourage each of us to dig deep inside our hearts to understand what exactly we are made of. What is at the very core of our being?
This economy today is one of the biggest blessings we could hope for – yes, you read that correctly, a BLESSING! :) Let’s step back and think about what gifts these times are bringing us. Let’s take a look at who we really are, what we really are about – do some deep soul searching. Let’s take a long overdue look in the mirror –
What is it we see?
Is the reflection anything we remember it to be or have we lost ourselves in “life” along the way?
As the economy deflates and we stand watching the material things in our lives get stripped away – when the rock begins to crumble beneath our feet, what exactly do we find ourselves clinging to …
Do we reach for the job that we pour ourselves into over 60 hours a week?
Do we reach for the coaches that are so important that we won’t let our kid miss a single game or practice – not even for a family gathering?
Do we reach for keys to the house we “had” to have?
Do we reach for that favorite book we keep our noses buried in as our kids pull at us crying for attention?
Do we reach for the cell phone that we can’t live without?
Do we reach for the great clothes and shoes that fill our closets?
Do we reach for the keys to the car that we love?
Do we reach for the TV that we spend more time with than our family?
Do we reach for the one person that we know will always be there – he would not turn his back on us, would he?
Let’s take a minute and think about whether any of those questions cut right to the center of our being with a pain we hadn’t realized was there. Ouch, huh?
So where does that leave us? Well it leaves us with families who are cutting out extra activities and actually spending quality time together. It leaves us with a humbled spirit working at jobs we would have never considered before but now are thankful to have a job – ANY job! It brings clarity to the clouded line of reality between true “wants” and “needs” in life.
So I ask, what can we really cling to in life that will never fail us not even when the world is crumbling beneath our feet?
There truly is only one thing and that is … our loving God.
I pray that He has touched your heart today thru the words He has given me and opened your mind to the blessings of what surrounds us this new year of 2009. May He bless each of you reminding you that when you feel lost and like there is no hope, there He stands with open arms waiting for you. Blessings!
Love,
Sandi Rauwolf
Author, Blessings Too Good
Sue Velon said,
January 17, 2009 at 11:59 pm
Sandi,
I think what you wrote is true. We have had to cut WAY BACK. In fact, we bought very few Christmas gifts. It really took much of the stress out of Christmas preparations! Some people got home-baked gifts from us instead of store-bought gifts. Life, in some ways, is getting simpler, and that’s a beautiful thing.
In the past my thinking would be occupied with what I want/need to buy. Now, I just am not buying much of anything these days so it is freeing up my thought processes!
Life is definitely simpler, and in many ways, better!
sue