A Year of Goodness.

Happy New Year!   It is exciting to start a new year and I have been thinking long and hard.  My head hurts haha! 

The last two years have not been easy for anyone.  Then again when I compare them to the years my Grandparents lived through they were comparatively ok.   Our Grandparents lived through a pandemic, World War 1,  The Great Depression,  World War 2,  The Holocaust,  the Cuban Missile crisis,  Vietnam War and other things that directly hit them at home ... well their lives were no picnic at all.   It makes me realise that our younger years were incredibly blessed and care free!   We were used to things being so good that it was difficult to understand why Nan and Pa were so frugal.  But now I get it.  I am increasingly getting it! 

Living in good times was such a blessing.  But good times come around in cycles as do all the other things that come around from war, natural disasters, pandemics... none are new.   There have also always been governments for the people and governments out to kill their own people.   There has always been good and there has always been evil.  

In my lifetime at least I have never felt so pressured as I have these last two years.  A very uncomfortable pressure coming from the government, media, social media...   And constant mixed messaging and many things that were touted as fact later to be found completely untrue.   I follow Martyn Lles who is the most wonderful speaker and in a timely fashion he said this:

Only fools rush in.

That is Biblical.

Don't be ashamed acting slowly in the face of uncertainty.  The wise measure things up, count the cost, and discern what's happening rather than act in haste.

This must especially be true when working based on inadequate information.

It must be true when your spirit is troubled about something because it may be a holy troubling.

The person who acts hastily is not necessarily more virtuous.

Indeed, "Waiting on the Lord" is a mark of Godliness.  I think that turn of phrase is significant.

"The plans of the diligent certainly lead to advantage, but everyone who is in a hurry certainly comes to poverty." (Proverbs 21.5)

"Fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence." (Proverbs 14;16)

"Desire without knowledge is not good, and whoever makes haste with his feet errs.  (Proverbs 19.2)

When you can resist a quick move concerning a weighty matter, you have time to pray and think.  

That is never wrong.

This was beautiful to me.  Like realising I had a "get out of jail card" to fitting in with the world  (as mentioned yesterday)  this was permission and reassurance that if something doesn't seem right,  if something doesn't make sense, it is good to take time to consider and pray.  God gave us discernment and it is ok to use it.    

This method has really helped me with some big decisions in regard to the farm.  I am way out of my depth but with good advisors,  research, weighing things up and not rushing in,  I hope to make wise decisions.  Dad's goal was "to cast the stone as far down the line as he could."  So now I have taken task over from him and it is a big responsibility. 

When I first began building up my pantry it was a persistent nagging feeling and I still have it.  As things have unfolded I am glad I listened.  In a whirr of noise of life, TV, everyone having an opinion etc it can be hard to listen.   But when you have a deep down knowing then you know and never ever ignore that.

Thinking about what to write for the new year and what goals to set just one thing came to me over and over.  Write about Goodness.

Yesterday I rang my Aunt and we had a beautiful chat.  She is a famous writer and poet.  So anything she might say to me regarding the blog I take to heart.  She said that my blog spreads goodness.   This really was the nicest thing!   I am most happy as my Aunt said this here it was again.... GOODNESS.   

So goodness it is!    We can't control the world.  But we can do our best where we are right now,  with what we have and be grateful for our blessings.  We can make a world of difference to our family, friends and community.   

A Year of Goodness is going to carry over to The Tuesday Afternoon Club.

We are also going to have a Pantry Challenge.  More about that coming up.  

Harper and Scarlett are going to be here for a few days and we will be immersed in crafts!  So I will post as I can.   I want to get the year off to a good start and what could be better than time with my girls.  💗💗