Check it out, Ginny & Lena are in the current edition of National Geographic. A while back, a wonderful photographer followed our family around for a few days in order to capture photos illustrative of an article on brain development…fascinating article and wonderful pictures (we think).
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If you have been around me much, it does not take long to learn of certain things that come along as a part of the package- tethered to the molecules that combine to make me:
- At 37, I am still unable to grow any semblance of facial hair. (This a current hot topic with the mirror because chin-hair in all its many facets is “in” this year and that instantaneously make me “out”.)
- I am not embarrassed easily….I worded that as a strength but, pretty sure, Ginny would say that my all-day unzipped fly should induce a bit more regret on my part.
- I can see both sides of almost anything and am apt to take the side that most people are not on- just in order to stir the pot a bit and fight the good fight against homogenization of us all- particularly we Christians.
- And, I like New Year’s. Really like it.
It smells of starting over, moving on, reflection and intentionality; these are things I like; as I am always leery that my life is veering slowly away from the full life offered by my Savior and toward a life I despise. And I am left unaware of how I steered myself to this harbor and equally unaware of how to leave it.
Unfortunately, in my lust for the New Year, I am prone to setup false requirements and illusionary goals that leave me self-loathing when I fall short of things I was never called to. And so this year, I am striving for something that eludes me as well as those I watch around me. Contentment. This is a steady drumbeat for me, so apologies if you have heard all of this before.
I am not easily satisfied and gravitate to problems with a sledgehammer of solutions. But I always grow tired of swinging the hammer of self-reliance. My inclination is to fix, tweak and tinker: I want so much for my kids, so much for the world of 99 Balloons, so much for my city. Enough is a rare word for me to reflect on.
Is your life enough?
I have pew sat enough to know what the answer should be, but I live out a day-to-day resounding “no”. I do not know what the correct straddle of working toward an end and simultaneously resting in knowing it is out of my hands, but I plan to pursue a better understanding. And I feel as though it most likely will require of me to kill off some of the creeping culture around me that constantly asked me to prove myself, show my worth and busy myself with something.
I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. (Philippians 4)
3 Comments
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Check it out, Ginny & Lena are in the current edition of National Geographic. A while back, a wonderful photographer followed our family around for a few days in order to capture photos illustrative of an article on brain development…fascinating article and wonderful pictures (we think).
_____________________________________
If you have been around me much, it does not take long to learn of certain things that come along as a part of the package- tethered to the molecules that combine to make me:
- At 37, I am still unable to grow any semblance of facial hair. (This a current hot topic with the mirror because chin-hair in all its many facets is “in” this year and that instantaneously make me “out”.)
- I am not embarrassed easily….I worded that as a strength but, pretty sure, Ginny would say that my all-day unzipped fly should induce a bit more regret on my part.
- I can see both sides of almost anything and am apt to take the side that most people are not on- just in order to stir the pot a bit and fight the good fight against homogenization of us all- particularly we Christians.
- And, I like New Year’s. Really like it.
It smells of starting over, moving on, reflection and intentionality; these are things I like; as I am always leery that my life is veering slowly away from the full life offered by my Savior and toward a life I despise. And I am left unaware of how I steered myself to this harbor and equally unaware of how to leave it.
Unfortunately, in my lust for the New Year, I am prone to setup false requirements and illusionary goals that leave me self-loathing when I fall short of things I was never called to. And so this year, I am striving for something that eludes me as well as those I watch around me. Contentment. This is a steady drumbeat for me, so apologies if you have heard all of this before.
I am not easily satisfied and gravitate to problems with a sledgehammer of solutions. But I always grow tired of swinging the hammer of self-reliance. My inclination is to fix, tweak and tinker: I want so much for my kids, so much for the world of 99 Balloons, so much for my city. Enough is a rare word for me to reflect on.
Is your life enough?
I have pew sat enough to know what the answer should be, but I live out a day-to-day resounding “no”. I do not know what the correct straddle of working toward an end and simultaneously resting in knowing it is out of my hands, but I plan to pursue a better understanding. And I feel as though it most likely will require of me to kill off some of the creeping culture around me that constantly asked me to prove myself, show my worth and busy myself with something.
I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. (Philippians 4)
3 Comments
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on January 8, 2015 at 9:01 am
Matt you have done so much already! I know that you will always strive to do more, but you have to know that you are enough! My word is presence His and mine, to not get so caught up in the busyness that I miss His presence and the joy that comes with it. And to be present in what I am doing, not thinking of the “next thing”
Happy New Years Mooneys…you have made a difference in my life! -
on January 8, 2015 at 9:09 am
Debbie,
Thanks for the kindness. “present”…I was thinking like you wanted a new car…but your explanation was way better 🙂
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on January 31, 2015 at 5:36 pm
Hi Matt,
My name is Charea, and I watched your story on Oprah about the loss of your beautiful boys. My heart goes out to you. Even though years have past, a day where you don’t think about them doesn’t. That is why I’d love to share with you about a wonderful hope for those who have lost loved ones in death. John 5:28,29 states “the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice…and come out.”, and Revelation 21:4 speaks of a “wiping out of death forever”. Can we believe that this is what the bible actually says? Yes, for at least 3 reasons, 1. God is the Creator of life (Acts 17:24,25) Isn’t it reasonable to believe that the One who gave life to all living creatures is certainly capable of restoring life to someone who has died? 2. God has resurrected humans in the past. (John 11:39-44) 3. God is eager to do it again. (Job 14:14,15) Being that you are a believer in our heavenly father, I know you’d love to read more on his promises for those asleep in death. Please visit JW.ORG to find out more about this wonderful hope. Not only will you find answers to give your daughter’s questions but you will find an abundance of peace for yourself.
Sincerely,
Charea
Matt you have done so much already! I know that you will always strive to do more, but you have to know that you are enough! My word is presence His and mine, to not get so caught up in the busyness that I miss His presence and the joy that comes with it. And to be present in what I am doing, not thinking of the “next thing”
Happy New Years Mooneys…you have made a difference in my life!
Debbie,
Thanks for the kindness. “present”…I was thinking like you wanted a new car…but your explanation was way better 🙂
Hi Matt,
My name is Charea, and I watched your story on Oprah about the loss of your beautiful boys. My heart goes out to you. Even though years have past, a day where you don’t think about them doesn’t. That is why I’d love to share with you about a wonderful hope for those who have lost loved ones in death. John 5:28,29 states “the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice…and come out.”, and Revelation 21:4 speaks of a “wiping out of death forever”. Can we believe that this is what the bible actually says? Yes, for at least 3 reasons, 1. God is the Creator of life (Acts 17:24,25) Isn’t it reasonable to believe that the One who gave life to all living creatures is certainly capable of restoring life to someone who has died? 2. God has resurrected humans in the past. (John 11:39-44) 3. God is eager to do it again. (Job 14:14,15) Being that you are a believer in our heavenly father, I know you’d love to read more on his promises for those asleep in death. Please visit JW.ORG to find out more about this wonderful hope. Not only will you find answers to give your daughter’s questions but you will find an abundance of peace for yourself.
Sincerely,
Charea