Thoughts for the new year

I can hardly believe we've reached the end of 2010. I probably say this every year, and every year it seems true. Time continues to flow on- days turn to weeks, weeks to months, and months to years.

This year I will turn 30. This doesn't seem possible. Yet when I think back on my travels, and time with family and friends, it does seem possible. I'm very grateful for the wonderful memories I've made and hope for many more!

Our pastor recently shared this verse from 1 Corinthians 8. "But knowledge puffs up while love builds up."

Truth is a wonderful thing. Proverbs is full of great verses on wisdom. Truth, knowledge and wisdom are important and worth seeking.

But without love, what do they mean? One can know all about God, but unless you know Him and love Him, what have you gained?

Knowledge can also divide. People can interpret words differently; ideas can be divisive.

But love includes, pursues, brings beauty and life. God's love shines into our lives and tells us who we are; it makes life beautiful.

So this year I wish for truth and wisdom, but most importantly I wish to increase my grasp of the height and depth and width of the incredible love of God. May this be your wish also.

Happy New Year!

Routines

When I say the word, "routine" what kinds of feelings come to mind? Mostly positive, or mostly negative?

Most of us have some type of routine. Mine weekday morning routine involves hitting the snooze as long as possible, grabbing a yogurt on the way out the door, checking email at my desk, and making myself a nice hazelnut cappuccino at our coffee machine.

In the evenings, I often I come home from work, make supper, enjoy eating with my husband, and after the dishes are put away- consider what else we want to do with our evening.

When I think about these activities, so often repeated- I'm torn between the charm of the ordinary and the desire for the extraordinary.

There is joy in routines, in knowing what your day holds, in appreciating a hand to hold for prayer before meals and a favorite juice kept stocked in the fridge. There is pleasure to be found in every day life.

But there is also joy in the uniqueness of a day, in new discoveries, in new experiences. Sometimes it seems the mind longs for fresh air to blow in through it's windows.

So, as with many things in life, perhaps the answer lies somewhere in between. The balance of the routine and the new. And the things that are neither habit nor novice, but those that re-inspire our hearts and should thus be given more generous portion of our time.