Being Knit in the New Year

2011 was not my best year. I'm quite happy to see her go. 

It was, in fact, my hardest year. But I never cease to be amazed by beauty's stubbornness, her ability to shine bright and make herself known even through the darkest nights. 

I've learned that life never gets bad enough to shut her down altogether. Beauty, in her many forms, has become my steadfast muse.

Still, there are seasons of life that leave us a bit unraveled. As a sweet friend just said to me in an email, May God knit you tight this year. Perfectly said. 

But I think He'll have trouble knitting me tight if I don't stay still. My husband and I have taken some fairly extreme measures to allow for stillness, space and rest...all in hopes that some much-needed healing will come about. {More on the extreme measures later.}

So it seems a bit silly to resolve to do anything this year. Doing takes effort and effort may seem counterintuitive to rest. But there are some things I do to fuel rest in my life: reading, writing, simplicity. I plan to incorporate a few of these life-giving disciplines in hopes that I may come out a bit more whole on the other side. 

Because to me, wholeness means fullness and fullness overflows into the lives of others, specifically into my husband and children. Having space and quiet, it feels indulgent and selfish. But the wise few who speak truth into my life, they tell me that it's necessary right now, that it will have a trickle-down effect. 

I pray they're right. 

As I type this, my "reserve battery power" message reminds me that I better plug in soon or the laptop will go dead. I smile at the irony. I've been running on reserve battery power for a long time. 

It's a year to plug in and power up. 

What about you? What is it The Year Of for you?