January

January is well on its way.

I love January and not because it houses the best Facebook day of the year (read: my birthday).

I love January for its calm.

No one makes a lot of plans. There are no school concerts or events because, frankly, the schools also "can't even" at this point. Corporations decide you must restrict your working hours. These are all good things.

The rest I have so longed for is here.

A week in and I've had ever so many chats with my children. One very interesting one that involved me getting a baby sister here sometime soon, to which I replied, you'd better start asking Jesus for that today because Mommy is getting old. I instantly regretted my choice of words, because this is just the type of thing Jesus might use to build a child's faith. I was then directed that the baby sister should be adopted and be in preschool, so as to avoid all that baby stuff, "unless you really want to because I know you love all the babies."

I will pause to say, Friends, dear readers, I'm so known. And I love that. There is nothing more special than being known. It means you are loved. Someone has listened. Someone has cared enough to retain. Someone knows you. Someone loves you. Treasure that in the quiet places of your soul.

Adding a baby sister is not in any of my plans. But our carefully laid plans are in the hand of a Father who adores us and wants to give us good things this year, and every year. I am almost eye level with one such good thing, and it overwhelms me. So soon he grew. So quickly he is passing on his way. I'm thankful for January. I'm thankful for quieter days to enjoy my good things.

All the best things, as you should already know, all the best and good things are people. The people in your life are just waiting to eat all the Mr. Goodbar and race camels with you. And maybe a baby sister. But especially just with you, the person who is already here and loved.

January is calm.

Use it wisely. Rest well. Relate well. And I am sure that this will better lift any despondency, and "post holiday blues," and "seasonal angst" that January is most known for.

Um. And it's my birthday. So. It's pertinent that I share for the record, in case you may have missed it in any prior social media post or blog, my primary love language is gifts. But. I am also specially qualified to adhere to all 5...so, there's that. Alright. You've got options.