Unexpected, but Present

Deanna Bartalini considers how saying yes and being present is what God does for us, so why not do that in our own life?

Happy New Year! I don’t have a word or a saint or a new habit to start off 2023 with which is a bit odd for me. But maybe wisdom is coming with age and the thought that new things don’t always come when we try hard or want them, but rather, on their own time, has finally sunk into my brain. I have spent the last days of 2022 with my family which ranges in age from 3 to 89! We have celebrated, in addition to Christmas, three birthdays. There is evidence of other people in every corner of my house. The other day I had to move books from my bathroom as my grandchildren like “to read” while in there.

And then, boom, they will depart and there will be no trips to the park or naps or snacks. No Legos, no endless pouring of water, and no watching Pete the Cat before bed. There will be quiet. And time for myself to do whatever I want. And I will miss them, terribly. Because there is nothing better than hearing the words, “Nonna, I love you,” from those little ones who are gifts from God in a way that is so unexpected.

I know that there are women from many different ages and stages of life reading this. And sometimes, we find ourselves wanting something different, better, more exciting, less stressful—whatever it is, we want what we don’t have. And then, we are dissatisfied with the beauty of what is in front of us. We question, “Is this it?”

This is it.

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This is our one beautiful, messy, imperfect, wonderful, best life. God is right there with us, present in the moment. Live in the here and now, for God is “I AM.”

Do not think I am advocating for chaos; I’m not. I am saying, create a life that works for you and your family. And then live it out to the fullest. Consider what is important and necessary for you. Live up to God’s expectations, not the world’s.

Click to tweet:
Live up to God’s expectations, not the world’s. #catholicmom

During the last weeks of the year, I pretty much disappeared from social media, random writing, and work I “should have” done. I did only what was absolutely necessary as far as work and spent the rest of the time with others. I said yes to the people in my life. We used copious amounts of glue and construction paper, walked to the park, ate outside, played in the dirt, and had dance parties. My dad read to his great-granddaughter and played with Legos with his great-grandsons and my mom taught them silly games. My sister, niece, and I took a spin class together.

Very little of this was my plan. But it is how it worked out. And while I have cleaning and endless laundry to do that I’m not looking forward to, it was a great way to end 2022 and start 2023.

It was a beautiful, messy, imperfect, wonderful, best time!

May your new year be filled with “I AM!”

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