Spring 2017

It's been one of those seasons.  Seasons when if I don't pause to think of all that I've done and learned, it will escape me.  It's too easy to let time pass without reflection on events, relationships, and how God is speaking to me.  So thanks to Emily Freeman for giving me permission to slow down, take a breath and write a list of what I've learned this quarter.

In no particular order, here are 8 things I learned this spring.

1. Gladiolus is my favorite flower.

I don't know the names of too many flowers, but a gladiolus sprung up right in front of my driveway sometime in April.  It is as if it welcomes me home each time I pull in my drive and park my car right in front of it.  My mom noticed it first and said that I could cut it and bring it inside to place in a vase.  But why would I want to do that when I get to see it outside in all it's beauty every single day after a long day at work?  It brings me such joy!

2. There's nothing in the world like #niecelove.

The treat of having my niece run to me each time she sees me, squealing with delight that I've arrived never gets old.  For the first six years of her life she saw me only once or twice a year.  Now that I moved back to GA, she sees me once or twice a week.  I think I'm her favorite and I'm certain that she's mine.

3. Hope is vital during times of uncertainty.

At the beginning of the year I sensed that my words for the year were to be: hope and future.  This spring the word "hope" has echoed in my heart and mind.  I hope in all the promises of God.  Hope is not a wishful thought that an idea will come into being, but real hope is the assurance that what is hoped for, is and will, in time, be seen.

4. You can miss a city/place even more after you have been gone a year.

I miss Boston - my home for 11 years.  I left on April 30, 2017 and thought by now the grief and sadness would all be gone.  It's not, but I'm learning to turn my head to look forward rather than back.

5. God is not surprised by my circumstances.

At a local women's ministry event the speaker shared this truth and it hit me.  I guess I knew this but it brings me more assurance to hear it spoken from a stage.  The Lord is not shocked by my difficulty in moving to a new city and leaving all that was familiar behind.

6. It's nice to visit local farmers' markets on Saturday mornings.

There's just something about fresh from the garden fruits and veggies that make me happy.  At one stand, I bought a bag of fresh baby spinach and an English cucumber.

7. Six Flags is still fun as an adult.

My brother bought us season passes to Six Flags Over Georgia.  Yes, I have a season pass to Six Flags for the first time since high school days when my friends and I would be dropped off by our parents to run around the park, unsupervised seeing if we could meet any eligible teenage boys.  He bought the passes so we could take my niece, but he and I have just as much fun riding the roller coasters, if not more!

8. Teenagers still think I'm fun and want to hang out with me.

It always surprises me when I spend time with teenage girls - first, that they actually want to spend time with me and second, that we always have a blast.  I love that I'm volunteering in the community with the youth ministry of Young Life.  It was my work and passion for so many years and now that I'm not getting paid for it, I still really enjoy it.

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It is good to pause and reflect about what you are learning.  Thank you for reading and I hope that you share your list.  Please leave a comment and let me know what you learned this spring.