Make it Your Goal

2013 is coming to an end in just 3 days. At least, that's what I've been told. Did we actually have a 2013? Are we sure? I'm not sure. So much happened in our 2013 that it almost feels as if it didn't exist in the first place. 

Just a brief review:

In January we made the decision to move
Anna turned 5

Listed the house for sale
10,371 A lot of showings later (with three kids in tow) we sold the house
Bought a car
Moved belongings to storage
Moved family to cottage
Reagan broke his arm
Brian turned 30
3 Months of house hunting, finding, paper signing, driving to and fro Strasburg 

Small fortune spent on gas
August we moved into new house
Kids both started new school (two days after moving)
Colson turned one
Reagan turned 8
Planned a Christmas party for 600 people
And a graduation
In the same week.

And somewhere in the midst of all of that we tried to squish in the meaningful moments that make up this thing called life. But it wasn't easy. And I'm craving quiet and peace like never before.

You know, quiet is not an easy thing to come by these days. As I sit here typing, the TV is on, Anna is playing a game on the computer, Reagan is singing loudly in the shower and my phone is buzzing at my side. And less than an hour ago this was happening:

As 2014's dawn is just about to break, my heart is in search of stillness.
Silence.
Quiet.
Calm.
Peace.
I want my daily actions and choices to reflect my priorities. Time with Jesus. Leisurely conversation with my husband. Unhurried bedtimes with my kids.
I have not exactly figured out how I am going to actually accomplish this, because, well, this is still happening:


And we still have jobs and obligations. There will still be school projects, busy destructive toddlers and a home to maintain. But regardless of the circumstances, the quiet starts with me, or rather, in me. Quiet in the storm. Peace in the chaos. Focus on the Solver instead of the Problem.
My hope is that as my soul pursues peace and stillness, the value I put on busyness and productivity will take a backseat to who I am truly called to be, not just what I think I am supposed to do.

And that being said, I will leave you with this: 

"Indeed, you already show your love for all the believers... even so, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you to love them even more. Make it your goal to live a quiet life..." 1 Thessalonians 4:10-11

So this year... Make it your goal! Live in the quiet. And be ok with it... actually, be more than ok. Learn to thrive in it! Happy New Year!