Peace in 2014...

Our New Years Eve was very low key.

I had plans of spending the afternoon in the kitchen.  I wanted to make a delicious meal for Alex and the girls.  I thought we would play some board games, watch some movies, eat ice cream, and the night would end with midnight kisses as we watched the ball drop.

But poor Sydney hasn't been feeling well.

We spent the first part of our NYE in the doctor's office.  It wasn't a fun visit at all and then a very hard afternoon to follow. 

And then I decided to brave the grocery store for a few things.  Two hours later...

I found these recipes below on Pinterest.  I haven't felt well but was determined to make a NYE meal for my family.  The food pics below are from Pinterest but of course, mine looked just like this. ;)

I made mini pepper nachos with corn, avocado, and black beans.

Salmon in a bag.

And wilted spinach and cherry tomatoes.

Most of our New Years Eve pics were taken from our bed.  Because that's where Mama went as soon as dinner was over.

  

I've always loved a new year.  We always set goals individually and as a family.  We go over our goals from the previous year and get to see what we accomplished.  I always set out to read through my Bible, give more, lose those last few pounds, purge my home of the junk, get organized.  Ya know…all of those things that bring us peace and happiness.

Our NYE was far from the way I pictured/planned.  I woke up on January 1st, less than excited to sit down and make my list of goals.  I'm still coughing, my throat hurts, and my head feels like it could explode.  I woke up to a screaming baby and there is a pile of clean laundry in the living room the size of Mt. Everest.  

And then God took me to the book of Lamentations as I sat there thinking this isn't how a new year is supposed to "feel."  Where's my new year peace that comes every January 1st?  That new beginning peace.  That peace of a fresh start.  That goal-setting peace.  That organized peace.  That paying-off-the-bills peace.  

Lamentations 3:22-24, “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.  They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.  The Lord is my portion, therefore I will hope in Him.”

Have you ever read Lamentations?  It's not the book that I'd expect God to take me to when I'm asking for some peace and happiness.  It isn't a "peaceful" book of the Bible.  It's hard to read.  It's a sad book.  Jeremiah sat weeping over the destruction of Jerusalem.  Destruction that came, due to hard hearts and turning away from God.  He was depressed and crying out to God on behalf of his people.  In Lamentations 3:17, Jeremiah states that his soul has been deprived of peace and he has forgotten what happiness is.  

When our soul is deprived of peace - we forget what happiness is.  

Peace doesn't lie in a date on the calendar.  Peace doesn't lie in a clean, organized home.  Peace doesn't lie in a number on the scale.  Peace doesn't lie in saving more money.  Peace doesn't lie in a vacation.  Peace doesn't lie in a perfect partner and children.  Peace doesn't lie in perfect relationships.  Peace doesn't lie in a healthy body.  

He is mercy. 

He is strength.

He is my portion.

He is happiness.

He is peace.

If I fail to do anything on my list of goals for 2014 - which I will - let it not be depriving myself of peace.  For when our soul is deprived of peace - we forget what happiness truly is.  

If I have Him, I need nothing else.  It's not about me - It's about Him.  

I can have that "new year,  fresh start feeling" every single day.  All because of Jesus and what He did for me.  

Happy New Year and Peace be with you!

Love to all,