Happy New Year everyone!
It is exciting to fire the blog back up and meet with you again. Though I missed writing to you, slowing down and being “in the moment” with my family, has done wonders for me mentally and spiritually. Starting my Holiday preparations in September also paid off. I am pleased to announce that “messy mommy monster” was absent and “perky party mommy” was present this Christmas. I mean, just look at me in my ugly Christmas sweater here. I am totally perky, and totally caught red handed with my famous cheese ball~
My man and I caught with the cheeseball… again!
Besides devouring yummy Holiday cuisine, I learned how to sew (sort of), and discovered the beauty of estate sales and antiquing. Katie is almost potty trained (woot), and I finally completed a cutesy cooking project that WORKED. Behold my cream cheese igloo and complimentary penguins made from black olive/carrots~
Isn’t it impressive?
I also submitted my attempt at making fruit roll-ups to a website that highlights Pinterest “fails.” My “creation” was accepted, bringing laughter to many. You can check out my now famous Pinterest fail at: http://www.pinterestfail.com/2013/12/13/fail-homemade-fruit-roll-ups/
Pinterest promised me fruit roll ups like the top picture. Um yeah, the end result was a like a fruity bullet shield or glass cutter… FAIL!
Going forward into 2014… and the real point of this post
In between all the parties, projects, and potty training, I rested and spent time praying. As usual, God met with me. Major decisions were made in regards to my husband’s career and our children’s education. God clarified how I should serve Him best going forward into 2014. This means I am letting go of some current ministry obligations in order to pursue a new and exciting opportunity.
Letting go is extremely difficult for me. Naturally, I would rather demand my will and try to make things happen according to my timetable.
But…
letting go of what I deem as good enables me to be available for what God deems is best.
I desire to move forward with God towards what is best. I made plenty of mistakes in 2013. I spent way too much time feeling anxious and frustrated. I became sick of myself and the demands I was placing on God and my family.
So I left routine, slowed down, and well… surrendered. My weary heart waved its tattered, white flag.
Demands lead me nowhere.
Surrendering… now that is a different story.
Surrendering leads me to what is God’s best.
Oh, how I want His best…
As this new year begins, how are you feeling? You may be in this same place of evaluating, dreaming, and seeking. Maybe God is opening the door to a new season or opportunity. Maybe He is telling you “no” or “let go.”
Or perhaps you are in a season of demanding what you want.
However the new year finds you, I pray the following words cause you to pause. Ponder them. Copy them down and revisit them.
May we all desire the better instead of the good in 2014~
“For now, while we still have such a hard time realizing that what’s good is not always best, suffering still has a function. As nothing else can, it moves us away from demanding what’s good… toward desiring what’s better… until heaven provides what’s best.”
~Larry Crabb, Shattered Dreams, page 32
Tracy, I am over the moon to have you back here at “full throttle”! Not with the most posts or smartest sayings, or whatever those “expectations” of bloggers are these day, but with a FULL heart for hearing God’s best… ALL IN. Love your words my friend. I am praising God for YOU right where I sit tonight in Maine. Love you girl. ~Amy
Hi Amy and Happy New Year! Hope you are keeping warm my friend and thank you for your kind comments. It is wonderful to be back “full throttle.” And it’s interesting you mentioned “expectations.” My next post is on this very thing… stay tuned. My heart is definitely FULL.
God can do amazing things when His peeps are rested and recharged. I’m so proud of you for taking the time for you and your family. Can’t wait to see where God leads you in 2014!
Thank you Catherine- the time off was such a blessing and as I alluded to above, FUN! I pray you were able to rest as well over the Holidays and recharge your own batteries. And I know one place God is leading me to- the Girls of Grace retreat with you! Praying for the weekend and for those attending 🙂
Tracy! What a great post! Not only did I go “awwww” at the penguins and then laugh at the pinterest fail, but then I was really made curious as to your 2014 and what it will entail (i’m in suspense and i’m way too nosey for my own good) and then I was also really challenged by what you shared about demanding our good, letting go of that for better, and waiting for God’s best. I can relate to that as I’m transitioning right now.
Thank you!
Bless you in 2014!
Do you have a word for 2014?
Ali
Happy New Year sweet Alison! The next post actually addresses my one word for 2014: proof. It should run tomorrow (Thursday 1/9) so be sure to check it out. And you will hear more about my announcement when “they” allow me to share it. Looking forward to what God is doing next- to Him be the glory! What is your one word?
Loved the ‘proof’ post. A very deep word! Looking forward to when “they” will let you share your news! My one word is ‘Risk’. Here is where I wrote about it… http://alisonlam.com/2014/01/from-relax-to-risk/
Blessings to you!
Ali
Thank you Alison- will stop by and read your post!
So nice that you had plenty of time to rest, breathe, pray and enjoy the days!!!! Love the pic!
Thank you Jenet! Was blessed tremendously by the time “off” and loved sharing some of it with you and our boys 😉