“All’s Well That Ends Well”

At least that’s what Shakespeare tells us.  What about your year?  Is 2014 ending well for you?  Are you ready for the big days ahead?  Christmas cards addressed and posted?  Shopping mostly completed?  Gifts wrapped and under the tree?  Cooking underway?  Heavy cleaning completed?

We could go on, but you get the idea.  Our years end with a swirl of activity from the end of October till the last day of December!  It’s easy to lose track sometimes of the most important things in life when we get caught up in the activity of life.

I would urge you to sit back and relax for a bit between now and New Year’s Day and take stock of your year.  Consider how you feel you did.  Are there things you could have done differently that would have made you and your loved ones happier?  Perhaps there are changes you made of which you are very proud.  Feel good about that.

As the new year looms, try not to spend so much time considering large “New Year’s Resolutions,” but think of small things you may do that will make a large difference in your life and that of your family and friends.

Children grow up so fast.  If you have wee ones, I’m sure you know that already, but I’d bet many older folks tell you often enough.  I see my grandchildren (in Oklahoma, Alaska, and South Carolina) so seldom, that changes are extremely obvious when I do see them.  Their growth and development doesn’t slow down because we get busy.  They don’t cease to need our attention because we have extra work to do.

I have many regrets about how I spent some of my time when my children were young.  Thankfully, I have few regrets about how much time I spent with them.  Trust me, you will have lots of years to do things you want to do that do not include children.  Now is the time for childrearing.  God gave that job to us when we are young and full of energy.  I don’t think He intended for us to use it in cooking, cleaning, working, shopping, etc. at the expense of time with our children.

Some food for thought as you consider if and/or where you need to make changes in your priorities:

Be…

Be strong, but not rude.

Be kind, but not weak.

Be bold, but not bully.

Be humble, but not shy.

Be confident, but not arrogant.

Today will never come again…so make it BEAUTIFUL!  Be a friend, be a blessing, spread love everywhere you go…May your heart runneth over with joy and compassion and let your words encourage, comfort, heal, and inspire those around you!  Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and yours.  Happy parenting!

©2014 Brenda Holland-Robinson