It's about to become 2010. Doesn't that sound amazing? 15 years ago, I graduated from high school. I remember on the eve of the new year of 1995, I could hardly imagine a time in the future where I'd use the word "twenty" in the year. It sounded impossibly distant, although it was only 5 years away at the time. Now, fifteen years later, I just say wow.
To be honest, I've never been a big celebrator of New Year's Eve. I don't really have anything against its celebration, it's just not really my thing. I don't drink, really. I don't like noise. I tend to go to bed at a reasonable hour. So, nothing about the "normal" ways to celebrate this holiday naturally appeals to me.
But I do like the idea of starting a new year. It feels full of mystery and promise....it could become or bring anything. 2010 might be the first year that I actually get into shape, have a job I truly enjoy or even meet a great guy. The flip side is that it could bring unexpected heartbreak or tragedy.
Either way, I know the Lord will be with me.
I hope this year is a winner though. But, I know that I have to own my part in its success or failure. For example, I know that I am quite a loner. I like being alone, reading, watching a movie, cruising the web, etc... My seclusion is self-imposed. I enjoy the solitary life.
Tonight, I'm hanging by myself to ring in the new year (and let's be real, I might not even stay up until midnight). I don't HAVE to be alone, I choose it. And this choice reflects most of my social decisions. I think I'm single because I want to be. I have a very small group of friends because that's what I choose. I realize it doesn't have to be this way. So, maybe this new year will be the year that I branch out.
But don't hold your breath, for I'm also a creature of habit.
Blessings on your new year.
Katy
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
My (Mother's) Hands
by Katy McDonald
Both pinkies curve in slightly
Skin is dry and stretched tightly
The nail beds are small and brittle
Practically every pore is visible
A study of my hands
Full of imperfection
Wish they were more feminine
Meant for hard work, not cups of tea
Despite the flaws, they comfort me
They are my mother’s hands
Both pinkies curve in slightly
Skin is dry and stretched tightly
The nail beds are small and brittle
Practically every pore is visible
A study of my hands
Full of imperfection
Wish they were more feminine
Meant for hard work, not cups of tea
Despite the flaws, they comfort me
They are my mother’s hands
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Joseph
Today in church, we talked about Joseph. That may seem unusual, seeing as how Christmas is around the corner and usually the focus is on Jesus or maybe Mary. But, it was cool. Scott shared what the Lord had pointed out to him about Joseph's character and attitude in the midst of all that happened.
I thought I'd share my ideas on this subject.
Joseph was just a guy who was living life. He was a carpenter who fell in love with a girl named Mary. Joe probably had a life plan - maybe build a good reputation as a carpenter, possibly start a business, build a home for himself and Mary and have a few kids.
Suddenly, he finds out that his fiancee is pregnant.
What? That probably scared the crap out of him. "What happened to my life plan? I didn't sign up for this." It's no wonder that he thought seriously about calling off the engagement. Her unexpected pregnancy threw a wrench in the works and sent his life careening off into the unknown. What now?
I heard a song this morning on the way to church. It was sung from Mary's perspective and she was praying that the Lord would tell Joseph what happened, to comfort Joe that everything was going to be okay and that God had a plan. Mary saw the tough road ahead of her and, although willing to obey the Lord, she wanted a partner in the journey. She wanted Joseph.
Hearing that song and then talking about Joseph in church today really brought the story to such a personal, human level.
Mary and Joe were just people. People who were living life, like me. Then suddenly God asks something really big from them. And they had to choose what to do. Run away scared or follow God (but still scared).
What struck me is how brave Joe was. Sure, Mary was really brave too. But, Joseph had to lay aside male pride and preconcieved ideas of what he wanted his life to look like. He had to answer the call of God to support God's call on Mary's life. He had to choose to become an earthly father to Jesus and raise him both lovingly and responsibly. Joseph had to humble himself and face the probable ridicule of marrying a girl who was already pregnant.
Also, as humans, we tend to believe that the plans we mock up for our lives are the best possible plans that exist. We may get a great education, start a business, move to a new city, get a fancy haircut, become famous...whatever it is...and we think that we are so clever. But, sometimes the Lord comes along and says, "How about instead of that plan, as good as it may seem, you follow this path over here."
At first, our natural response is to cringe. "But what about all my planning and work to get where I want to go in life, God???" He may just respond, "It was good stuff, sure. And it has brought you to this point where I was taking you. You just have no idea how much better my plan is. So, trust me, will you? I won't fail you."
I don't know about you, but I would have really struggled if I were in Mary or Joseph's shoes. I am a planner. I would have felt like God's "interruption" in my life completely took me off guard. But, ultimately, I have to believe that I'd rather do His thing. After all, it may have an impact on all of humanity.
Granted, my life will unlikely usher in such a pivotal change to human history as Mary's or Joseph's did. I'm not about to give birth to the Son of God. But, as Scott said this morning, the Lord is asking each of us to bring Jesus to the world...even if the "world" is simply my neighborhood.
God, please help me to respond like Mary and Joseph did. "Here I am, Lord, Your servant."
I thought I'd share my ideas on this subject.
Joseph was just a guy who was living life. He was a carpenter who fell in love with a girl named Mary. Joe probably had a life plan - maybe build a good reputation as a carpenter, possibly start a business, build a home for himself and Mary and have a few kids.
Suddenly, he finds out that his fiancee is pregnant.
What? That probably scared the crap out of him. "What happened to my life plan? I didn't sign up for this." It's no wonder that he thought seriously about calling off the engagement. Her unexpected pregnancy threw a wrench in the works and sent his life careening off into the unknown. What now?
I heard a song this morning on the way to church. It was sung from Mary's perspective and she was praying that the Lord would tell Joseph what happened, to comfort Joe that everything was going to be okay and that God had a plan. Mary saw the tough road ahead of her and, although willing to obey the Lord, she wanted a partner in the journey. She wanted Joseph.
Hearing that song and then talking about Joseph in church today really brought the story to such a personal, human level.
Mary and Joe were just people. People who were living life, like me. Then suddenly God asks something really big from them. And they had to choose what to do. Run away scared or follow God (but still scared).
What struck me is how brave Joe was. Sure, Mary was really brave too. But, Joseph had to lay aside male pride and preconcieved ideas of what he wanted his life to look like. He had to answer the call of God to support God's call on Mary's life. He had to choose to become an earthly father to Jesus and raise him both lovingly and responsibly. Joseph had to humble himself and face the probable ridicule of marrying a girl who was already pregnant.
Also, as humans, we tend to believe that the plans we mock up for our lives are the best possible plans that exist. We may get a great education, start a business, move to a new city, get a fancy haircut, become famous...whatever it is...and we think that we are so clever. But, sometimes the Lord comes along and says, "How about instead of that plan, as good as it may seem, you follow this path over here."
At first, our natural response is to cringe. "But what about all my planning and work to get where I want to go in life, God???" He may just respond, "It was good stuff, sure. And it has brought you to this point where I was taking you. You just have no idea how much better my plan is. So, trust me, will you? I won't fail you."
I don't know about you, but I would have really struggled if I were in Mary or Joseph's shoes. I am a planner. I would have felt like God's "interruption" in my life completely took me off guard. But, ultimately, I have to believe that I'd rather do His thing. After all, it may have an impact on all of humanity.
Granted, my life will unlikely usher in such a pivotal change to human history as Mary's or Joseph's did. I'm not about to give birth to the Son of God. But, as Scott said this morning, the Lord is asking each of us to bring Jesus to the world...even if the "world" is simply my neighborhood.
God, please help me to respond like Mary and Joseph did. "Here I am, Lord, Your servant."
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Welcome
I have decided to start a personal blog about life, poetry, God, joy, sorrow and stuff. Not necessarily in that order.
For my first entry, a poem I wrote yesterday. It has several layers of meaning for me, which could be true for any reader. Hope you enjoy it.
Pushing On
by Katy McDonald
Mountaineering rough terrain
Traversing through a searing pain
It is a solitary journey
Rubble shifts scarily beneath me
But I keep pushing on
What will I find at the summit?
Makes no difference, I commit
Yet I ascend, no matter what
Cast aside all fearful thought
And I keep pushing on
The air is thinner near the top
My lungs are leaden and my ears pop
Fatigue begins to settle deep
My weary muscles scream for sleep
Though I keep pushing on
At long last, plateau ahead
The pressure swirls inside my head
And when I crest what I have climbed
A thought inside my heart has chimed
I must keep pushing on
So burning fumes of strength and will
I walk out even further still
Such comfort! Other climbers there
All finished with the frightening dare
Of simply pushing on
For my first entry, a poem I wrote yesterday. It has several layers of meaning for me, which could be true for any reader. Hope you enjoy it.
Pushing On
by Katy McDonald
Mountaineering rough terrain
Traversing through a searing pain
It is a solitary journey
Rubble shifts scarily beneath me
But I keep pushing on
What will I find at the summit?
Makes no difference, I commit
Yet I ascend, no matter what
Cast aside all fearful thought
And I keep pushing on
The air is thinner near the top
My lungs are leaden and my ears pop
Fatigue begins to settle deep
My weary muscles scream for sleep
Though I keep pushing on
At long last, plateau ahead
The pressure swirls inside my head
And when I crest what I have climbed
A thought inside my heart has chimed
I must keep pushing on
So burning fumes of strength and will
I walk out even further still
Such comfort! Other climbers there
All finished with the frightening dare
Of simply pushing on
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)