stew·ard·ship [stoo-erd-ship]
“The responsible overseeing and protection
of something considered worth caring for and preserving.”
2012 how did you get here so fast and where did the past twelve years go?
In the year 2000, Justin and I celebrated five years of marriage. Within those first five years we moved six times, had two baby boys and worked at three different churches. I feel tense just writing that. Needless to say, our marriage struggled through the constant state of change.
Four years and another baby boy later we had finally started to find our rhythm. Parenting newborns and toddlers had become familiar. We began our lives as church planters with nine years of ministry under our belt. Life was good. Life was familiar. Life was becoming manageable.
Looking back on sixteen years it is nothing short of a miracle that we are still married. Yes, I know we talk a lot about the lessons learned through the affair but we had so many other dysfunctional issues that we were clueless to the power they had over our relationship. Hindsight is always 20/20. Looking back at all the mistakes we made makes me wish I could go back in time.
But I can’t
And
You can’t
Over the past several years the week between Christmas and New Year’s we spend some time individually, as a couple and as a family dreaming for the future. We list out attainable goals. This year has been especially hard on me as a mom knowing that some of our family goals include preparing for our oldest to leave for college in just 3 short years. I have thought a lot about the past fifteen years with my boys and wish I could freeze time.
But I can’t
And
You can’t (wait if you can email me!)
As Justin and I finished writing out goals such as, Justin loosing forty pounds, my need to set and stick to office hours and both of us running a half-marathon together, the word that kept coming to mind is Stewardship. As the days with my children continue to quickly pass, both Justin and I want to:
-Steward our time with family, friends and mentors.
-Steward our money to be able to give away more and live on less.
-Steward our influence with hope that more people will experience the love and grace that is found in Jesus.
In each of these areas of our life we want to responsibly oversee and protect all that God has entrusted to us. What is true for me is true for you. We can’t change the past. We can’t stop time. But we can steward the life God has given us right now.
My prayer for you in 2012 is that no matter where you find yourself you will let go of the past and steward your future.
What is one goal you have for 2012?
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