Unknown and a New Year

"What is life? It is a flash of a firefly in the night. It is a breath of a buffalo in the wintertime. It is as the little shadow that runs across the grass and loses itself in the sunset." -Chief Isapwo Muksika Crowfoot

2013--the year that taught me life is unknown. All of it. The only constant is God. What worked in previous years can be turned upside down in the span of 24 hours. Even the best made plans fail sometimes, and you're left standing there wondering what happened. Friends die. People you had just spoken to suddenly leave this earth, never to be seen again this side of heaven. Decisions are made by others that leave behind anger and confusion. Sadness and disappointment cast shadows; reminders that satan is roaming about. God's promises provide the light that keeps the darkness from destroying.

2013 also taught me that just as sorrow often comes out of nowhere, so does joy. A phone call in December changed my situation. At the other end of the line was a voice offering a full-time job. After 14 months of searching, full-time employment became a reality. I had two weeks to figure everything out and move to Florida. So, one month later, here I am in the Sunshine State, only 35 minutes from the sea, one of my very favorite masterpieces in God's creation.

A phone call changed my state of residency and employment status. Life is still unknown. I don't know where I will be living in three months. I don't know how long I will be living out of a suitcase. I don't even know if the job will last six months.  I simply don't know.

I had a moment of panic last week when I thought about the fact that I had no clue where I would be living in three months, how I would afford rent, and a host of other worries that I let get the best of me. Then I read God's words about being content in all circumstances, taking one day at a time, and not being anxious; I realized none of what I was panicking about mattered in light of eternity. I'm not promised the next breath, let alone three months from now, so I just need to chill out. I can't let fear and uncertainty destroy the good; the scent of pine trees along the dirt road, friendly and helpful co-workers who have welcomed me wholeheartedly, the funny antics of the ducks and geese at the local park, the sense of freedom that comes from splashing in the waves along the edge of the ocean---all good gifts from our Father above. 

Life is hard. That is a truth which cannot be denied. But it is also joyful. The two are intertwined. Defining life solely based on one or the other is impossible.

Many of my friends did not get to greet the new year, so my resolution for 2014 is to live in such a way as to honor their memory and continue on the journey with a cheerful spirit, determining to be more faithful about seeking God's kingdom and His righteousness.

I resolve to:

splash along the seashore looking for shells
eat dark chocolate
plant flowers
practice random, anonymous acts of kindness
lay outside on a blanket on a clear night and watch the stars
play the piano at the nursing home
visit the local library and read just for fun
fly a kite at the beach
be gentle
volunteer at the animal refuge
take long walks
plan a return trip to Romania to work with abandoned infants at the hospital
be encouraging and helpful
go on picnics
learn to play chess
seek peace
sing and dance in the rain
be grateful
"They do not fear bad news; their hearts are firm, trusting in the LORD." -Psalm 112:7