Day 237: My God Box

My "God box"

 
 Today is a good day to review.  I started with a brisk walk on the trail with my daughter. It was about one year ago today that I first walked on the Springwater Trail. Today was even colder than I remember. I dressed in layers and gloves and a coat.  Still very brisk! My daughter turned around and went home after about 1/4 mile. but I did 2 mile.  It was good to breathe the fresh air. And start to think about my year in review.

New Year's day walk on a very cold trail with my very cold daughter!

I finished the walk alone. Brrr!

I found this post on my Facebook page one year ago today:
 
"I started the morning with a run/walk in my daughter and son-in-law's new neighborhood. And I discovered a hidden gem! The Springwater Trail veers off and crosses Foster Road and goes through a Wildlife Habitat Area that I had never discovered!I am getting the feeling that 2015 is going to be my year of exercise and nature"

A few years ago I started a tradition of coming up with "New Year's Additions". I am such a rebel. And such a hyper sensitive person, that just the word "resolution" makes my stomach churn.  So instead of resolving to change or eliminate negative from my life, I add good things!

Here is my first declaration on 12/31/2011 from my Facebook page:


"I make no New Year's Resolutions. Instead I make additions. This year I am adding more healthy, raw food to my diet. I am adding more smiles to everyone I meet. I am adding bigger ears to hear my friends in need. I am adding a bigger heart to love my family, my friends, my planet, my dog. I am reinventing myself. This is a not just a new year, it is a new me!" December 31, 2011 ~Zita Jefferson

Here are last year's additions:

2015 New Year's Additions

"I am going to be more specific this year! Last year I feel was a successful year for adding good things. But as the year progressed, I kind of backslid into some negative mindsets. So this year I will continue with last year's additions. I am happy to report that I have really embraced my #1 addition from 2014 ("Expand my heart by giving more, loving more and asking nothing in return"). I also ate lots of fresh fruits and vegetables and have been walking about 2 miles a day! I pray daily, read incessantly and do a lot of reflection. But the following are more specific additions that I would like to make permanent habits in addition to the ones I just mentioned:

1) Workout at the gym at least 3 days a week.
2) Stretch and do yoga regularly. Especially mornings and evenings.
3) Daily Bible reading
4) Drink more water! A lot of it! smile emoticon
5) Listen to people more.
6) Give of myself more.
7) Work on memorizing pieces at the piano (my lifelong weakness)
8) Read more classic literature
9) Read more poetry
10) Be present with my family more
11) Laugh more!
12) More green smoothies!"


And here are this year's additions:

 2016 Additions

"1. Even more exercise.
2. Even more prayer.
3. More stretching.
4. Drink more water.
5. Spend more time with friends and family.
6. More helping people.
7. Read poetry.
8. Read classical literature.
9. Memorize one piece a month on piano.
10. Learn to play my ukulele."




I am making "Hopping John" for dinner. Another New Year's tradition. According to folklore, if you eat this dish on New Year's, you will be lucky all year.  Honestly, I just really like the taste. I soaked a bag of black-eyed-peas overnight, then threw them in the crockpot this morning before my daughter and I went out for our walk.  After about four hours, I sauteed some garlic, onions, diced cooked chicken breast, and sausage and added it to the pot along with a can of diced tomatoes. Then I boiled a package of okra and added that. Cooked it about four more hours. Seasoned it with salt and pepper and a splash of worcestershire. 

I made some long grain jasmine rice in the rice cooker and that was dinner!

Scrumptious and setting a good healthy tone for the New Year.

For lunch I had some freshly sprouted alfalfa sprouts on top of a grainless tabbouli salad.

I want to start the year on a healthy note and I think I have!

After dinner, I was feeling sentimental. Today is special in many ways. My son has been clean from a very addicting drug for 2 years today. He posted it on Facebook this morning. We are all proud of him. He has come a long way and he did it with his own will power and a lot of prayer from his mother.

I was thinking about the dark times when I was on my knees every night begging God to bring him home safely and to release him from his addiction. I found my old God box. I had a box that I would write prayers to God on. I used index cards. I would pray and then write them out and put them in the box. Trusting in God's mercy. It would help me let go of incessant worry and help me put my faith in Him.

I sat down and went through all my cards.  They are from the dark days - 2 to 3 years ago.  

Nearly every prayer has been answered!

I write in a journal now. But I find this box very precious.  I think I will start using it again.  Still so much to pray for. Including my father's recovery and my mother's emotional strength.  

Prayers for the homeless and downhearted I meet.

Prayers for all who are suffering in the world. 

 Yes, I think I will reopen my God box.

Happy Friday!

Happy New Year!