It's Time for a New Year! Are you ready for 2024?
- Sarah Louise Clarke
- Dec 30, 2023
- 7 min read
Written and Typed 30/12/2023
Heading into a new year, we always think of new resolutions and personal goals. Mine tend to last a few days to a few weeks, but my commitment and perseverance lacks quickly. I find the resolution boring or tedious after a time, and sometimes my motivation falls flat on its face, I give up entirely. As I say this, I think: oh please don't let my relationship with God end the same way!
I don't usually make promises because I know I can't keep them. I've made a few. One is to stay married, advocate for my disabled child and love her special needs and all; and one I keep struggling to fulfil, but it is one constantly on my mind: returning to God frequently!
Some promises are easy to keep, and this one is ongoing. Just like a new year's resolution, goals, and good plans with good intentions go, so is constantly going back to God every day to reaffirm my faith! Practice!!
It's an everyday choice to follow Jesus, but not an easy one. I won't lie, I fall flat on my face constantly. I know where I sin and fall short, but I also know when I'm right! And they tend to not be proud moments. Because sometimes when I'm right, it's because something has gone wrong, and I just knew being right was not good!
Example: my daughter showing early signs of falling sick. A day or two later and I'm right - she's sick. How I would love to make an assumption and be wrong!
Many of my friends and family aren't Christians so Jesus isn't on the radar! Unless it is to swear and use the Lord's name in vain. Which they tried to curb for my sake! Since I was the age of 10 until 2019, I have been waterskiing with my aunt and uncle on the Hawkesbury River every year. We would have a fire, munchies, play a few card games and watch the river fireworks. I would sleep over and we would sleep in, have a BBQ breakfast, put on our wetsuits and life jackets and we would water ski and tube ride most of the day. It was my highlight of my year, my favourite thing to do and I was devestated whenever I couldn't go. I am partially blind. My eyesight is very poor without glasses. I can see enough that I won't walk into furniture or walls, but to see details far away, I can't see them. Forgive this pun: I put "blind faith" into my family to protect me when I am waterskiing or tubing. One or two of my cousins direct me when we turn and land into shore. I love to waterski, and I was willing to take risks to get the high of skimming the water on skies, despite not being able to see the boat in front of me. Sadly, I can't trust my family with my heart or faith, but physically, there was always a member with me being my eyes and ears!
Since 2020, things have changed! The covid pandemic, the Sydney floods and of course, my family losing interest in my company. People change, life changes, but still three years on I haven't been able to move on. I'm still lost, unsure, and feel quite unwanted. I used to be the apple in my cousin's eyes. I was always their world, and it was so thrilling to have our summer new year's off to a brilliant start. Obviously challenging having a daughter to look after, but growing up I was able to do what I loved. Sadly, my cousins are no longer interested in knowing me, and one of them has cut me off! So, I wish I could answer my question: "yes, I am ready for 2024!" But I am stuck on two days of the new year: New Year's Eve and New Year's Day! What will be my new traditions? What will I do with myself, as I am no longer invited to family events? How do I forget about my cousins and aunt and uncle and move on? Cut my losses and start a new life? I wish I knew. My uncle's Birthday is also New Years Day and the last few years I have not been able to celebrate with him. Effectively, I'm heartbroken.
I realise it's not about the good times with family at big events such as these. [Christmas eve evening, I was on my own as I had covid]. I texted mum: "Why has God allowed this to happen?" Mum's response was: Character building! God is training you to be dependent on Him. To see that there is more to life than parties and people. Those things are great, but what is the real meaning of Christmas?! Definitely got me thinking there! Christmas is about Jesus!
Although new year is different, the same thoughts still occur. I can sit and wallow that I'm not included in big family new year events and feel miserable. Or I can find new ways to celebrate new year. Last year, Hubby and I did a Fast and Furious movie marathon. At one point during the year, we did a Pirates of the Caribbean movie marathon. Tomorrow night we could do a James Bond or Jason Bourne movie marathon. Hubby and I love The Expendables movies. Or more sedate and watch Father Brown or Phryne Fisher Murder Mysteries. Or even Midsummer Murders! I have a stack of Joanna Basford colouring in books. 8 I think. I can always sit and do colouring in!
Although, school holidays are exhausting. I'm looking after my daughter. This year, I also have a job. And I am the only one doing the housework! I'll probably fall asleep early. LOL.
Christina goes to vacation holiday care in Dundas during the school holidays. A specialised disability hospital for children. The Holiday program Christina absolutely loves. It's a 50-minute drive both ways to and from care and I am doing those four times a day, 3 days a week in a row. Sometimes, I would stay in area or visit my godparents, but I am working now, I have to drive to and from. So usually after a full month of driving, I'm exhausted and it takes half of February to recover. LOL. But any respite I can get, I take it enthusiastically.
What are your plans for New Year? High demand has requested a support group event in January. So, my partner and I have scheduled for the 20th at her clinic. It is wonderful to have support from someone who shares the same passion as you!
This blog website platform has been great for people who cannot attend the support group in person. We have hit 200 viewings of this website since October 31. Tomorrow will be an entire two months since I started this project. This post is number 19. The response I have had have been wonderful. I gave it to God to take it where he wants it to go. 200 viewings is more than what I expected to get at the end of year 2023. Whatever happens in 2024 will be in His hands. We do our bit and then leave the rest to God.
While family and loved ones can desert us, abandon us, cut us off or try to destroy us, know that God never will!
He is always with us.
God has a plan for your life! He might not tell you. You maybe can't predict it, but he will direct us when we look to him for guidance.
Referring back to "blind faith", We all put our faith in something that we see or don't see. I put my faith in my family to protect me when I physically cannot see. But I put my faith in Jesus spiritually because he has opened my spiritual eyes to see what is unseen and eternal. I love people and it's my aim to love the disability community when our support group picks up in the new year. I trust my partner to help me bring this project to life without betrayal. I've known her for 8 months and I trust her more than some family members sadly. But I can no longer put myself out there to people who don't want to know me or who aren't interested. I have to protect my heart. I keep in touch with people who reciprocate my companionship, but I have decided to leave behind those I love who sadly don't love me as much as I love them.
Time for new traditions! Time for new friends and projects! Time for a new year! To embrace the future. To be the best we can be as individuals. To help others. Be a witness to Christ if you believe in Jesus!
God has taught me a lot in the last few weeks. Character building. Perseverance, endurance training, trusting and relying on God to provide. He has upheld me through covid, the flu, a back injury relapse. My husband living his own life when he is not working, and a dependent high special needs child constantly needing supervision. I take comfort in housework. How sad is that! More than that, I have reaffirmed my faith in Jesus. He has been my comfort and guide! My peace and foundation during this unknown rocky time. I've given all my relationships to God, and just do the best I can with what I have! I wouldn't do things differently next year! I'll be advocating for my daughter, running a support group and blog website. Working as a cleaner and housekeeper.
But my main focus will be putting God first! Christianity is about having a relationship with Jesus, and I would love to share with you what he has recently taught me in a new year 2024 post!
Are you ready for a new year?! I think being positive and assertive is a good place to start! Let's all have a happy new year!
Love and best wishes for 2024,
Sarah Louise Clarke
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