Go Ahead and Blink

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It's been a LONG time since I wrote on my blog. Perhaps it's an indication of my current stage of life. I love speaking and writing but where is the time to do it??? I am baffled by these Christian women authors who have written five books (even one book) and still have children living at home. Clearly, I need a class in time management. But there again, where do I find the time to take it?! ha!

So here it is, December 31st, again. Weren't we just here?! Is it my imagination or does each succeeding Christmas season go by faster than the one before? As my children get older (and hence, I get older) time is speeding up. Better not blink!

As Ellie and I were taking down decorations this morning, we saw our advent calendar sitting there, a long standing Archinal tradition. We got through December 15 and the remainder of those little doors stayed shut. A sign of our busy schedules.

Not only did some of our long-standing traditions get lost in the busyness but we had several friends experience tragedy and loss this season. Our hearts have been with them. At times, it seemed the joy of the season was a little harder to come by. So, did we miss Christmas? If we didn't get to all the things we've done before, does it mean we experienced Christmas less?

This mother's heart was feeling a little low at the reality of older children, busier schedules, and hurting friends. Then, once again, God was there to share a word of encouragement. He speaks to me in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." He comforts my heart.

He reminds me that even though time is fleeting, children grow up, and family schedules shift, He is ever constant. He is outside of time and holds all things together. He holds our family together. He holds my grieving friends in a way that I cannot. He holds me together when the inertia of demands and responsibilities tries to pull me apart.


Christmas 2011 has come and gone. Some of our traditions shifted a little but we were all together. We made some new and wonderful memories that we'll cherish forever. We had the privilege of praying for and comforting hurting friends.

Yes, I blink and another year is passed. But, no matter how many times I blink, each time I open my eyes there is my loving family and there is my loving God. So as you are packing up another year, go ahead and blink. Years come and go but joy remains.