All Good Things

Recently Lance asked us to create a list of all the good things that had happened in 2012.  I found this list to be a great catalyst to gratitude.  I share it here, and encourage you to make your own list.  I would love it if you want to share privately or in the public comments.

Many of the good things of 2012 are on-going good things from previous years, and many are just hints or promises of good things to come.

 In 2012, we met son-number-one’s Important Friend.   She is a lovely, compassionate, strong and independent young woman.  Son-number-two says she is solid, and that is high praise indeed.

 In 2012, son-number-two decided he would graduate from OCC in the spring of 2013 and pursue training as an EMT/paramedic.  He is working toward this, it has not happened yet, but it came onto my view-screen in 2012. 

In 2012 The Girl Who Lives in Our House left a dangerous and demeaning situation, which we all encouraged her to do, and for which we are all very glad. 

In 2012, my dear friend-of-years took a month-long sabbatical to examine her own soul, mind, and heart, pray intensively, rest, and begin to formulate a vision for the rest of her life.  This event makes my list of good things because I love her madly and anything that moves her more deeply into the amazing person she was made to be is a good thing. 

In 2012, another dear friend-of-years had a gastric by-pass, a decision that she took several years to come to, and it has revolutionized and probably saved her life.  This is a good thing because she has been suffering greatly.  It was difficult watching her grow sicker; it has been glorious watching her grow more healthy almost before my eyes. 

In 2012, another dear friend-of-years left a job she has hated but to which she has been shackled for too long, and a town that she called the toe-jam of the Midwest.  She has moved to a job she enjoys, in a town that is much more convenient for a blind woman with multiple sclerosis.    This is good because she is happier than she has been in years and I no longer have to bolster with frequent all-night phone calls in which we discuss false friends, imaginary parties, and which book character she is most like.

In 2012 another dear friend-of-(few)-years accompanied her husband on his sabbatical, a six-month teaching job on another continent.  She developed some very sweet friendships and left a large part of her heart there, as one will in such situations.  She came back having rediscovered that life at a slower pace is sweeter, and determined not to let circumstances run away with her again.  She is keeping sane office hours, delegating more of her duties, and is much less stressed.  She has more time to love people, which is the thing she does best  of all.

In 2012 we learned that one of our dear pro-life advocate sisters in Eastern Europe is expecting her first daughter after two now-teenage sons.  What joy this tiny girl will bring to her family of birth, as well as her family-of-love in America.  I am very excited at even the hint of a possibility that I might soon get to meet her.

In 2012, we had kittens born in our house; in fact, they were born in our favorite chair.  They have been a mixed blessing, and that is all I am going to say about that.

In 2012 son-number-three wrote me a note explaining that when he seems angry, it is sometimes just angst, and when he is angry, it is not always with me.  I have put this note in my keep forever box.

In 2012, I returned to tax preparation.  It turned out that this is the last year I can practice without a formal examination by the Internal Revenue Service.  It was good timing; I can sit the exam with a full year’s work fresh in my mind.

In 2012, I became a full-time university student, putting one course of study on hold for another.  This came about because I realized that my current work, which I love, does not love me. 

In putting aside the previous study, I came to realize that I had not really been working at all, but just poking at something and hoping it would suddenly burst into glorious flower all on its own, swallow me up, and make all my dreams come true.  Late in 2012 I realized I need to look subjectively at who I am, what I can do, want to do, and was made to do, set a goal, make a map, and go.

2012 was the year I started my blog.  I have been shockingly absent these past months, but what I have written and published has been tremendously rewarding to me.

In 2012, I realized that my youngest child is a child no longer, but a remarkable, loving young man of great talent and deep faith.  He is patient, kind, gentle, and loyal, and wiser than a 15-year-old has any right to be.

2012 was the year of the almost-babies.  For a brief few hours, we had the promise of having four babies added to our home.  I began to love them from the first hint, and still grieve their absence.  This is good only in that it reinforced to me that one can do the right thing for the right reason, and be glad and relieved, but still so broken-hearted, disappointed, and sad.  They were mine for an hour; I will regret their loss forever.  This situation has personalized to me the scope of tragedy that is our foster care system to the point that I am seeking the Lord’s heart in the matter of what role I may play in the advocacy of children.  I do not know what He has in mind; His answer did not arrive during 2012.

  

2012 was the year I began to let go of things I cannot control.  It was the year I began to recognize my own need and deep longing for worship, and to pray for a heart of worship.  It was the year I began to desire the Lord’s pleasure, and to try to live so that He will delight in me.  It was the year I committed to walk through whatsoever doors He opens and to remain on course until He redirects me.  It was the year I began to see His remarkable faithfulness.  Situations that should not, could not, would not end well were held on an open hand, with an acknowledgement of my own powerlessness and shortness of vision, and many declarations of, “It is what it is.  I cannot solve this; You can.  Do what you want.”  I found that He delights in showering me with tiny miracles, or in being my solace when He does not, which is a very good thing.