New Year’s Greetings

As we say good-bye to 2010, I want to wish you all the very best for the year ahead.

May God bless you abundantly.

And may you fly higher than ever before.

Until next year…

Unknown Skies

I think I know

What lies ahead…

Sort of.

However,

It could take many forms.

The year ahead

Will require

Discipline

And determination.

No slacking.

No procrastinating.

There are unknown skies

To explore.

Destinations

Off the grid.

Wonders

As yet unimagined.

As my son said today,

Not knowing where you’re going

Can be scary.

But it can also be

A wondrous adventure.

Will the skies always be clear?

It’s doubtful.

I will probably hit

Some turbulence along the way.

There may be a storm or two.

But I know

It will be truly awesome.

As I soar into a new year,

I think not only of myself

But of friends and family

As well.

May we reach new heights

Together.

All the best for 2011!

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, NIV).

Uncharted Skies

New adventures.

Anticipation.

Excitement.

Peace.

Open skies.

Unwritten pages.

People.

Places.

Experiences.

All of these

Give me wings.

However,

There is mourning involved.

What was that isn’t.

What will never be again.

I’m processing the change.

And seeking to avoid

The temptation

To throw a net

Around other fliers.

My hope

And prayer

Is that I will help others

Get airborne

And reach new heights.

I don’t want

To drag them down

Because of turbulence

In my own skies.

So,

As I look to

A new year

And

Uncharted skies,

May I fly high

And

Assist others

To do the same.

If your gift is…serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully (Romans 12:6-8, NIV).

Christmas Greetings

May your hearts soar this Christmas and throughout the year ahead.

I’ll be back after Christmas.

Blessings, all…

Nesting

Nesting

Is a word

Used primarily for

Expectant moms.

While I’m not

Having a baby…

Phew!

Remember

I’m almost 50…

I am a mom.

In ways,

I am also

Expectant.

I’m expectant

Of great things

In the New Year.

I’m actually looking forward

To doing domestic things

Like planning and preparing

Healthy meals.

Although my kids

Don’t need me

Like they used to,

I’m looking forward to being

There for them

When they do

Want to talk

Or just watch

A movie together.

I’m also looking forward to spending

More time with friends.

There’ll be more hours

To read.

Edit.

Write.

Who knows?

The possibilities,

As they say,

Are endless.

So,

Here’s to nesting.

Here’s to

Further reasons

To take to the sky!

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms (1 Peter 4:10, NIV).

Different Perspective

I will truly fly…

When I weigh “x” number of pounds.

When I eat only healthy food.

When I drink more water.

When I stick to a schedule.

When I don’t overspend.

When I spend more time reading

Than buying books.

When I stop procrastinating.

When I get rid of excess material possessions.

When I find the right balance

In all areas.

And the list goes on.

These things may make me

Feel better.

However,

Real flight isn’t about

Weight.

Fitness levels.

Finances.

Clutter.

Personal shortcomings.

Although these things

Are important.

Flyers

Look higher

And

See things

From a different perspective.

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:1-3, NIV).

It’s All Good

New friends.

Great food.

Enjoyable conversation.

Gracious thanks.

Returning son.

Valued company.

Glistening snow.

Glowing lights.

Decorated houses.

Untried recipes.

Shifting priorities.

Unexplored destinations.

Everyday discoveries.

Soaring heart.

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever (Psalm 136:1, NIV).

Folded Wings

My to do list

Is as long as ever.

Many question marks

Mark the days ahead.

The days are most certainly

Flying by.

How can I get everything done?

This is not a season,

However,

For rushing

And getting stressed out.

OK,

I admit

I still do,

But that is not

What it’s about.

You’ve heard the story.

The message.

The virgin.

Her fiance.

The census.

The journey.

The inn.

The manger.

The baby.

The angels.

Their message.

The shepherds.

Their praise.

If we don’t believe it,

We ignore it

Or fight against it.

Sadly,

Though I do believe it,

I still forget

To be still.

Do I make it

About Him

And fold my wings

And bow my head

Or

Is it all about

The gifts,

The baking,

The get-togethers?

It’s getting a little late,

But it’s never too late

To redirect my focus.

God bless you all

This wonderful

Christmas season.

(See Luke 2:1-20.)

This Week’s Joy

Airplanes.

Babies.

Decisions.

Clients.

Co-workers.

Resources.

Friends.

Family.

Trust.

Excitement.

Peace.

Contentment.

Commitment.

Adventure.

Progress.

Organization.

Literacy.

Just a sampling

Of those things

That brought me joy

This week.

May you experience

Great joy

At this Christmas season.

Bless you, all!

I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High (Psalm 9:1-2, NIV).

New Adventures

It’s much easier to fly

When one’s heart is light.

When one’s decision is made.

When the weight is lifted.

And yes,

That’s where I am.

I sought input.

I mulled it over…

And over and over.

I made

The pro/con list.

I crunched the numbers.

(Sadly, a necessity

For most people.)

And took the plunge.

I found the cage

Had no ceiling.

Well, d’uh!

In the end,

The skydiver

Has to trust her chute will open.

The bungee jumper

Has to believe the line is secure.

The hang glider

Has to know he’ll catch the current.

And the eagle

Has to remember

What her wings are for.

So,

I fly

Off to new adventures.

Wondering what’s next.

But knowing

Whatever it is…

The view’s amazing!

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6, NIV).