R-E-F-L-E-C-T
As the last few days of 2021 come to an end, I wanted to take a personal look-back through the year and take some stock of my life, assess where I can grow, and make some resolutions to do better in the new year. I usually don’t make New Year’s resolutions, knowing my weak determination, but I am thankful for the growth of the past year and am confident of even more maturity this year. I will use the acronym of the word “REFLECT” as the structure to write my thoughts on my year.
R- rodents. Yes, rodents, namely mice, have been a game-changer for me. Earlier in the year, in the winter months, I saw something darting underneath my feet in the kitchen. Was that a mouse? Nah! I refused to believe it and lived in a state of denial until small chia-like “seeds” were left found in all corners of the counters and floors. My lack of intervention on this growing problem should have been a punishment for me but where “sin abounds, grace does much more abound.” Having this pest problem ended up being a blessing!
My house has been in such a state of disorganization and clutter that I had long since given up on straightening it up. I felt overwhelmed and ashamed of my lack of housekeeping skills. Because of the rodent problem, the exterminator was called in. They recommended getting rid of all the clutter. What a daunting, distasteful, and difficult task! But what seemed impossible became realizable and then momentum took over, and it became revitalizing, exhilarating, and totally satisfying as chaos turned to order. As we got rid of the junk in the house, it got me started on a whole path where the decluttering led to good habits in keeping up the house. I can’t say that the house is where I want it to be but I feel so much more in control of myself when it comes to the house. That’s huge. I feel so thankful to God that again, He took my mess and made it a blessing.
E- Events. This was an eventful year for my family with two weddings, one for my son, Christian, and another one for my niece, Alyssia. Both were different but both were beautiful. Tears, smiles, hugs, and warm wishes were abundant at both weddings.
2021 was another year of online “church” events. But as we entered into the second year of the pandemic, our online events improved by leaps and bounds. ECKCM was a big blessing with multiple departments having individualized programs. New features such as “Christ and my Career” proved to be a blessing.
For FAMBAM, we ended up having two occurrences, one in the spring and one in the fall. And we were blessed to have the fall one in person! What a blessing.
F- Frog tasks. You may ask what a frog task is. Well, it's a reference to a book by Brian Tracy called Eat that Frog! The author writes that if you have to eat a frog on a given day, it is such an unpleasant task (for most people) that you would do it the first thing so that you would get it over with. This is to emphasize the need for prioritizing important tasks for the day and do it the first thing. I’ve been practicing this, and it’s been really helpful in how I go about the day. Having a quiet time in the morning of devotions, planning the tasks for the day have been really helpful in getting more organized and productive throughout the day.
L - Lament. I, personally, have been affected by a lot of deaths this year. Hyunsik Jung, a former church member and my children’s tae kwon do master died of Covid-19. Many friends and relatives of Westchester members have passed away from Covid and other diseases. One death that was especially sad for me was the death of Inge Dube. She was an elderly Jewish woman that lived in the neighborhood of my church. Our Bible workers got to know her about four years ago and have had a close and warm relationship with her, helping her with errands and visiting with her. I got to know her this year more intimately because I delivered groceries to her from our church food pantry every week. She would always greet me at the door and would invite me in, would ask about my family, and was always wanting to give me a candy or a glass of water as I left. She always had a warm sparkle in her eye and had a sharp mind even though she was in her late eighties. I will really miss her dearly.
E - Exercise. This year was a banner year for me in regards to exercising. After not doing any type of exercising for years, I started walking around the neighborhood during the start of the pandemic. So it was a good start but I really wanted to ramp up fitness in my life. One day I met my old childhood friend and she mentioned to me how she loved Peloton and asked if I would like to have access to her Peloton App (she got to give out a few passes with her paid membership). I agreed and have been doing core strengthening exercises regularly and even dusted off the old treadmill in the basement. Now, I regularly break a sweat when I run on the treadmill, a big feat for me.
C - Caretaking. One of my primary roles in life is taking care of my elderly in-laws who are both in their early nineties. Both are in early stages of dementia so while it is challenging, I am thankful that they are both relatively stable in health and that I could help in their care. Yes, there are days when I am frustrated and feel taken for granted but most days I take their good health as their “thank you.”
Although I don’t live with my Mom (who also has early stage dementia), I do get to visit her once a week. My brother, sister and I worked to get her some home health aid this year. It’s been a great relief to know that someone else is caring for her and giving her home cooked food. It’s bittersweet to see her decline but as I commiserate with my friends who are my age, we agreed that it is the downside of having elderly parents, so I am thankful for each visit that I have with her.
T - Thanksgiving. It’s been an eventful year with weddings, deaths, celebrations, and growth. In this pandemic era, it is easy to grow weary of this abnormal “new normal.” But I am so thankful for my heavenly Father who helps me live my life with joy and hope, that no matter what may come that day, or what calamity may come—I am never alone. In the small disappointments and big heartaches, I know that Jesus is here to give me His yoke. And in the joys and triumphs of my life, I know that God is the giver of these blessings.