Wednesday, January 07, 2009

Happy January!


I've always loved the lines from You've Got Mail:

Joe Fox: Don't you love New York in the fall? It makes me wanna buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils...

You see, I could be completely swept off my feet by a bouquet of sharpened pencils or a fresh new-smelling calendar. Not because I'm an office supply junkie (although a case could be made) but because I love new beginnings. If you want to find me brimming with energy and optimism look for me at a new beginning.

January with a new calendar in front of me or August when school starts. I love the chance to take a very deep breath, and pause to look at the upcoming future and create a plan.

And while by this time each year I'm knee deep in the process, this year has had a few unexpected interruptions but at this moment... I finally have some quiet. Real quiet and mental quiet.

I have a freshly sharpened pencil, a clean calendar and some space to breathe, pray and think. So, right now, I'm getting busy about that business. I'm asking questions: What does God want to show me in this new year? Who do I need to get up beside this year to encourage, support, walk together with and/or learn from? How can I be a better me, wife, mom, daughter, leader, friend this year? What do I need to do? What do I need to stop doing? And as I ask, listen and find answers a plan will take shape. And I will get to take my freshly sharpened pencil to my crisp clean calendar and get busy.

Happy January!

What does January inspire in you?