2016 -- a year of plans and surprises

I'm just squeaking in under the wire with my year end post.

Mostly I just wanted to say Happy New Year to all of my fellow bloggers who have checked in on this little blog now and then. I know, I haven't been very consistent. So, thanks for following me by email or in your favorite reader this year, so as not to miss these important life-changing posts ;)  Seriously, I do appreciate you reading and commenting. Thanks! You are awesome!

I've read some very inspiring, encouraging thoughts approaching 2016.  So  many good words on so many blogs and in books.

The truth is, we might have many plans and goals for the New Year, but we don't really know what's going to happen. As Solomon said in Proverbs 19:21: We humans keep brainstorming options and plans, but God's purpose prevails. (from The Message)
I don't see this as a warning. I see it as encouragement. God knows what He is doing. God sees from a different vantage point than we do. God is good and He is loving. So, we can enter a new year with hope and comfort, no matter what happens.

Expecting A Surprise

Each day holds a surprise. But only if we expect it can we see, hear, or feel it when it comes to us. Let's not be afraid to feel each day's surprise, whether it comes to us as sorrow or joy. It will open a new place in our hearts, a place where we can welcome new friends and celebrate more fully our shared humanity. 

from Bread For The Journey by Henri Nouwen (Jan. 1)

 I do think making plans is a good thing. I can't help myself.. I keep thinking of what I want to challenge myself with this year. So, there's the balance.. making plans but holding them loosely.

Do you have big plans and dreams for this next year?

Happy New Year, everyone!

When Life is a Roller Coaster

Life might be a highway, but it's definitely not a straight stretch of ribbon! It's sometimes more like a roller coaster moving through the dark--sometimes slow, sometimes fast, sometimes high, sometimes low -  don't you think?

One day you wake up with a big smile on your face. Life. Is. Good.

Little, simple things bring you joy.

You received the news you had been waiting for.

You feel good. You have purpose.

All is well in your little world.

In fact, you feel on top of the world.

God is good! you say.

Then you hear that bit of disappointing or confusing news.

Or you read something tragic and scary in your news feed or in your local newspaper.

Or you wonder if your life is making a difference, because it sure doesn't feel like it.

Or your physical health isn't optimum, and productivity is a thing of the past.

Is God still good? you wonder

Or you just seem to be coming up against the same struggles and nothing ever seems to change, even though you have hope and faith.

And you start thinking about the future. Tomorrow and the hundreds upon hundreds of tomorrows which may follow and what they are going to look like. How uncontrollable the future really is.

You read more about horrible events in the world with no quick solutions in sight.

And you worry.

Is God still good? you ponder

Then you receive a hopeful word.

You have the most encouraging time with friends.

Their prayers are being answered!
Your prayers are being answered!

Changes are happening.

And the sun is shining again.

And all seems well with the world.

Isn't God good! you say

And then your heart breaks for your friend, who just shared something hard with you.

And there are no easy fixes.

It's complicated.

Tragedy strikes.

And  personal dreams shatter.

Is God still good? you ask yourself

And there aren't any wise little sayings or pithy quotes that are going to really make a difference.

All you can do is trust, wait and learn to see in the dark.

And believe,

simply (but often not easily)

believe

that

God is always good.

Oh, Lord, I do believe. Help my unbelief. 

Bookin' it

This post is an  end-of-the-week ramble of what's been flitting in and out of my brain cells lately. That's all I have on a Friday night, the end of a busy week.  I should warn you now.. it's nothing profound. Those  thoughts-worth-thinking seem to hit me at times when a) I forget to write them down or b) I don't want to write them down. Often, they disappear. Or, if I DO write them down somewhere, they don't seem as profound when I consider blogging about them.

Books. I am a self confessed book addict. Not that I read all of the ones I purchase or acquire (that's the sad part), but I can't help collecting them! If I find a good deal for my Kindle, and it's a book that I actually DO want to read, I buy it. If I hear someone share about a book, and it's intriguing to me, I want to purchase it. If someone gives me an Amazon gift card, I almost swoon.

 But, really friends, how many books can one read in any given week? I can't craft and read, I can't work and read, I can't drive and read (and I don't really enjoy audio books most of the time), I can't cook or clean and read, and I can't sleep and read. I can't watch TV and read... well, actually I can but that's not really wise, is it? That's multi-tasking and not the best way to retain what I'm reading or to follow a TV show plot line. And I can't read blogs and read a book at the same time. Yet, I continue to collect.

I could blame Amazon. But Amazon is my friend. I have found sooo many books there.  I have a wish list as long as the rope dangling from the old maple tree on my mother in law's island property. Interesting thing is, I don't really enjoy going to huge book sales or even book stores. Too many books to choose from and I don't know where to start. Used book stores with books piled and stuffed everywhere make me feel panicky and claustrophobic.  I think that's why I like browsing Amazon.  It's uncluttered and I'm in control. I guess I have control issues.

How do you manage your book issues? Is there help for those afflicted with bibliophilitis?  (I made up that word, but apparently bibliophilism is a real word).

If you are concerned about whether you suffer from this condition, check this list.   If you can say 'yes' to more than 6 of these symptoms, you may want to seek help.. I hear Amazon is a great place to learn more about it.