In most years past I’ve found myself bargaining with God this time of year.
“Ok God, I was single for the holidays again this year, but next year is the year it’s going to be different, right?”
But over the last several years, I’ve grown weary of waiting to live my life until it starts syncing with my timeline. So this holiday season, I’ve been taking the time to pause and appreciate this stage of life.
Truthfully, a younger version of myself would have thought I had lost my ever-loving mind making a statement like that. Doesn’t enjoying where you are mean you’ve given up on what you hoped for?
No way jose! Far from it in fact. I still think next year may be different, and I’m still looking forward to one day when I have what I hope for. But if next year isn’t different, I can still have joy, because I’ve learned that current joy and future hope aren’t mutually exclusive.
We can have both.
So I’m making the choice to soak up what is, instead of putting all my energy into what isn’t yet, and more than ever, this year I’ve found myself appreciating, and realizing that one day I might even miss things like:
- Watching copious hours of romantic Christmas movies with no one interrupting (I’ve watched The Princess Switch three times!)
- Decorating and enjoying the glow from my little three foot, apartment-sized Christmas tree
- Still being able to attend all of my family’s festivities without my attention being divided
- Only going to the parties and work events I really want to go to, and otherwise staying home to watch those aforementioned movies
- My birthday, wine nights, and Christmas movie nights with just the girls
- Sweet little nieces who photobomb your selfies
Y’all, I promise you with every fiber of my being that life is special and joyful even when it isn’t what we pictured or expected, and even when we don’t have what we hope for YET, but we have to make the choice to see it.
So tell me, what’s something you found yourself truly enjoying or appreciating about the holidays this year? I’d love to know!
Love reading your blog post and you don’t know how up lifting they are in my life. Thank you!
I just love how you write! Everything you say I’m feeling too. This Christmas was a ‘single’ Christmas, again, but I didn’t fight it like last year, I wsn’t hoping against hope that the mysterious man was out there waiting to lock eyes with me. I know in my heart he will one day, but I don’t want to wish my life away ans miss all the special moments and me time. I spent Christmas with my sister, at the beach, and we had a blast. We gave out coats to the homeless and gifts to drive thru cashiers and random people, and stuffed toys to lil kids. It was awesome. We are going to make it a tradition. Then we spent lots of time just walking the beach, talking, laughing, and thanking God for another year together. I pray everyday for when God reveals my soul mate….but God’s timing, is His timing, so there’s no use in freting over it. Like that new song I just love “If it’d meant to be, it’ll be, so baby just let it be”…….Happy New fresh slate year!
Thanks Amanda! I’m so glad you found this one encouraging. I hope you had a merry and joy-filled Christmas!
That sounds like an awesome Christmas! I’m so glad that you were able to sink into what is, instead of being distracted by what isn’t yet. And I was actually just listening to that song the other day thinking the same thing! Just let it be…God’s got us! <3
Beautiful, beautiful read! Thank you so much for sharing your experiences and story! God is using you sista!! I’m so blessed to have stumbled upon this blog! I’m adding you to my prayer list 🙂
Thanks so much for reading Sascha! I’m so glad that you were encouraged by this post. xoxo- Laura
[…] Finding joy in the small things, and learning to choose joy in ALL things […]