R E S T A R T
When I started this blog, nearly a year ago (WOW, time flies) I was determined to not forget about it and had all good intentions to post at least twice a month. BUT as life does, it got busy and I did the one thing I promised myself I would not do. Funny how that happens. WELL when lockdown was announced (as three weeks not the whole of 2020 ha) I gave myself a list of things I knew I wanted to use the extra time to do, and one of those was to start theSide…again. Aaaaand here we are EIGHT weeks later and I am FINALLY doing it.
I have been thinking a lot lately (thanks to all the extra time) about how we like to plan our lives. This year I started my first job while I finish off my Masters Thesis. One of my best friends were getting married on the 28 March, we had a family holiday booked in the berg during April, Cal and I were going to see his Mom in Namibia in June and my three-week solo Europe adventure was booked for September. 2020 was looking amazing from every angle and then BAM, everything postponed indefinitely. I have felt A LOT over the last few weeks, and a great sense of privilege has been a top one but underneath the frustration and the upset there has been a deep sense of gratefulness.
I am incredibly grateful for this time as a family. I have nearly finished my thesis. I have learnt new things like illustrating, I have reached goals that were set for the year and I have made new goals that I tackle each day. I am been able to STOP and refresh. I am so grateful for a garden to move in, a pool to swim in and so much sun to sit in. There is so much unease and anxiety all around and sometimes, if I'm honest, most days, it sneaks in. Yet now, 8 weeks into lockdown I can proudly say that I have loved being able to take on each day, one day at a time with a positive mindset and confidence that God has gone before, and that none of this is a surprise to Him. None of this was a BAM to him.
So as I wrap up this first little blog post of 2020, I want to encourage you to sit and think about how you can wake up each day and feel more positive than yesterday. Yes, a lot has been lost but flip so much good has come from this, and better things are coming.
Our temporary minor problems are producing an eternal stockpile of glory for us that is beyond all comparison. 2 Corinthians 4:17