It's New Year's Day. And I'm just thinkin'. And pondering. And remembering. And hoping. And letting go. And taking up. Lots of things running through my mind on this, the first day of 2009! Goodness gracious! 2009! Another YEAR !....There are things I want to do differently and some things I don't want to change at all. I pray for continued health and happiness for the Small Frys and Hornes and Cullens! I am so happy to still have my 94 year old mother, too! She continues to amaze me with her fortitude and memory and health. I wished I lived closer to her, the 30 miles between us sometimes feel further than that. But, thank goodness for the phone and we stay connected every day by chatting and I try to get over there as often as I can. She's so little, sometimes I think I should just pop her in my pocket and bring her home with me!
I am excited over another clean slate. But, as a Christian, we get a clean slate EVERY SINGLE DAY. That's part of the GOOD NEWS of Christ. Wash off that blackboard and move forward! Of course there are so many things I need to change and work on and yet I am excited to think about learning more and more . That's what's so awesome about God. There's so much more than we could ever imagine about Him and His plan for our lives! I can't wait to see where he takes our family this year!
For all of you out there reading this, I send my love and prayers. If you don't know God, I suggest to get to know Him! He never promised you a life filled without struggles but He does promise to walk WITH you during those rough times. I know that in those times I feel closer to Him than any other time. It is during those times I am the lowest and just give it all to Him, that I feel peace and joy. Peace and Joy even during times of sadness and grief. Peace, knowing He will comfort me when no one else can and Joy that is unexplainable except through knowing Him.
The biggest misnomer I think most people have about God? That He is always a judgemental/angry God. Ready to ZAP us when we do something wrong. Just like a cat on a mouse. NO WAY! Yes, He does judge, but with so much LOVE. Just like the way we discipline our kids. I might have mentioned before but the vision of God for me is one that still brings a smile to my heart. I see CAPTAIN KANGAROO! Yes, that is my vision of God! As a child I ADORED Captain Kangaroo. That gentle soul who was so sweet and loving and had those big ole pockets in his jacket???? Well, when I would pray as a child , and would think about how much God loved me, I would think about Captain Kangaroo and it just fit. Even TODAY, that is how I see Him. For those who don't know Captain Kangaroo, he had a mustache and a big round SMILING face. THAT is GranJan's vision of God.
A big . Round. Smiling. Face.
God bless you and may you see the BIG ROUND SMILING FACE of GOD many MANY times in 2009!!!
