I’m a New Year’s girl and always have been. The week between Christmas and when the kids go back to school is my nirvana. I guess it helps that my birthday is January 4th but when everyone else is wallowing in that 2nd week of Christmas vacation (Okay, I’m wallowing too!) my wheels are turning a mile a minute. I’m scheming and planning and goal setting and wanting to start 147 new exciting projects. I wake up extra early and write down things as fast as my fingers can keep up. The winter morning light has its own special glow.
I have to MAKE MYSELF slow down enough to reflect on the previous year, but it’s a very good thing to do and it helps that I have a blog to help jog my memory. So here are some things I learned in 2014.
1. God’s Will is not sexy. When I wrote about my struggles with FINDING GOD’S WILL last January, I had no idea that so many of you have struggled with the same thing. I want to do something big and important for God but He doesn’t need my big and important. In fact, He doesn’t need anything from me because He’s the giver of all good things. My neighbor needs me and his will is for me to serve my neighbor. So I spent the rest of the year remembering that every time I stir the soup pot or clean the bathrooms or pay the bill, I am right smack dab in the middle of God’s will for life because I am serving my neighbor. Here’s the short and skinny or you can go read the whole post.
God’s will is for you to be saved. He has made every provision for that salvation Himself. He has given you everything you need in Jesus’ perfect life, death, and resurrection. You don’t need to do ANYthing to please Him or find Him or discern His will. He is pleased with Jesus and sees you as one redeemed by Christ.
He has placed you in various stations in life and called you to serve your neighbor, since all of YOUR needs have already been met in Him. He has gifted you in certain ways, so that you may serve your neighbor and meet his needs. And the beautiful kicker is this—God hides Himself in your vocation, so that all the service you render to your neighbor, is sacred, because it is, in reality, GOD at work through you, meeting the needs of the neighbor.
2. Jesus is the father to the fatherless and you are more loved than you know. I’ve struggled with father wounds, striving to make up for it in a million ways, wanting the approval and love from people who could never give it. I visited my daddy’s grave site and the truth of who I am washed over like a flood. My Father loves me and that is always enough.
3. Podcasting is fun and exciting and LABOR INTENSIVE. In the spring, I did a trial run with podcasting with a little series on The Life You Love. The Life of Faith podcast was downloaded a bajillion times, which has given me some ideas for a Life of Faith series. Maybe in 2015?! Anyone want to be my podcast producer?
4. Miracles are everywhere if we have the eyes to see. I’m so thankful for my family and they continue to amaze and bless me. Nick moved out and made ALL A’s in chemical engineering. Taylor started medical school and rocked it!! Caiti is nearing the end of nursing school and has been such a blessing to watch. Emme and Elea are having a wonderful year and our older kids are finding their way in the grown up world of work and life. We are so blessed.
5. We are the first responders to the people in our lives. Let’s respond with gentleness and kindness and love and meekness. Let’s link our arms in theirs and walk them home.
6. Writing a book may in fact be the hardest thing I’ve ever done. It’s feels a lot like a difficult labor. And it’s not over yet. Speaking of writing a book, my dear friend Ruth is launching her baby into the world today so GO GET IT!! It’s already #2 on Amazon!!!!
7. There are two things I never want to be without. They are—good books (I think I read nearly 60 this year) and Young Living Essential Oils. Finding and using and sharing these oils has been like the amazing intersection of everything in my life—health and wellness, caring for people, a way to stay home and still use my skills. I LOVE this company. I love these products. They are changing my life everyday. And you seem to love them too—so much so that I may be able to go ad free on my blog this year, which is my hope and prayer! Go get yourself some healing from the inside out.
Okay, smooches and love to you all.
I can’t wait to share my thoughts and plans for the new year!!
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My December newsletter is going out January 1st and it’s full of all the things I neglected to blog about in December along with an update on my crazy midlife crisis hair decision!! #growingoutapixieproblems
It also contains a link to a private page on my blog with free downloadable things, free meal plans, and other good stuff.
You can sign up here!
I love you so. New Year blessings to you. 💗
Mwahhhhh!
I am more grateful than you could imagine to see a post here from you this morning…
The first photo is beautiful!
God’s timing is perfect-
Thank you for the action you take and the many different ways you serve, Edie-
Possibility of you being ad free: I hear the angels voices singing: Hallelujah! 🙂
Have a great day 🙂
Love you sweet Julia!
You’ve had a very full year! So glad you shared it with us and I’m looking forward to 2015!
Thank you so much Celeste and Happy New Year! xoxo
I know you have your very own life, but I have missed your grace filled words and thoughts. So very wonderful to see you in my email this morning. Wishing you and yours a very blessed New Year.
I must thank you again for helping me return to the Lutheran church, but this time to the LCMS. I have fallen in love with the doctrine of vocation and find myself at such a peaceful place in my life. Please continue doing what you do. I look forward to following you in 2015.
Awwww, so wonderful Shari! Mucho love! xoxo
#5. perfect…. a lesson i hope i’ve always known, but one i’ve learned very well this year. happy new year
Fun to walk with you and learn from you another year. What you spoke of regarding God’s Will is something I have had to constantly remind myself of as well. I got a book for Christmas called “Ordinary” by Michael Horton. GREAT stuff. I love being God’s ordinary saved and loved girl. Always the best to you and yours xoxo
Looking forward to what Life in Grace has in store for 2015!
Cheers, Edie!
What a beautiful way to summarize the year. I love this time of year when the possibilities stretch before us, as I wonder how God will use me and change me. Many blessings to you as you continue writing your book, and serving our Lord in all you do!
Edie- Even though I found your blog late in the year (thanks to Ruth Soukoup) I am so glad I did. I look forward to reading what you write and being inspired. I agree that Ruth’s book was amazing and we also love our Young Living oils. Here’s to new years planning…:)
Blessings to you Edie!
Thank you so much for your posts, they touch my heart and speak exactly what I am feeling!
You have such a gift to share.
I am encouraged to remember to be “a first responder”, there are so many hurting people who just need to be loved.
Just wondering if you would mind letting me know where you find your art work, “we’re all just walking each other home” and “the weary world rejoices”.
Thanks and Happy New year!
Never mind, found them both!
Happy New Year, Edie! I so appreciate your blog for keeping it real, for making me think, for being positive, and for always inspiring me. I received my copy of Living Well, Spending Less yesterday on NYE, which I thought was very appropriate! And so now I look forward to reading your book when it comes out – I know it will be amazing.
P.S. I have been loving your newsletters and the access to the “special” page of goodies. So many blogs send out a newsletter that is essentially their blog posts in an email form so I have already read them in the blog. You rock 🙂
Thank you so much, Lori! I’ve been tweaking how I do it for the past year but I’m so glad to know you find it helpful and maybe slightly amusing!!
HaPpY NeW YeAr Edie ~ Your faith in the Lord shines beautiful and bright as I read your post! I was just sitting here thinking that none of knows what’s in store for us in 2015…but we can rest assure that we know our Papa God is going before us now and preparing our year! Thank you for sharing your 2014 with us! Looking forward to what your 2015 will be like. Beth http://emaxgal.wordpress.com/
I would be so sad if blogging was dead! I love your inspirations and your recipes! Thanks for taking time to do this for the rest of us! Happy New Year!!!!
Mwahhhhh! Thank you!
BTW – HELP! Since the Lutheran church upgrade, I haven’t been able to figure out how to get sermons – I click on sermon audio and only one sermon will come up for me. Pastor Bushur keeps life hoppin’ along a little bit better!
OH no! I need to check into it! He’s an AMAZING pastor and preacher!
Long Live The Blog!!! Happy New Year and keep on blogging…it brings me a lot of joy!
Btw, your pixie is so cute…hate to see it go!
Your first two hit me really hard. I love your writing and can’t wait for you book. You have inspired me many times when I needed it the most. Thank you.
totally with you on the father wound thing and on learning to do the little things with all our hearts. i am learning that we want to do the big, flashy things, but sometimes God calls us to focus on doing the small unglamorous things to the best of our ability and for His glory. keep up your encouraging work. you have a great heart and wise perspective.
Yes, yes please on the podcast!!! 🙂 I loved your podcast and miss it so much!
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