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Happy Go Stuckey

Tethering Grace & Togetherness

Welcome to a Fresh Start. (FMF)

January 8, 2015 by HappyGoStuckey 10 Comments

Ok friends. Here we are, one week in to 2015.

Whether or not you are a “one word for the year” kind of person, (I am not. I need more words.)

Whether or not you have a list of goals washi-taped to your mirror as a reminder of your next steps–

Even if you feel like you majorly bombed last year.

If December left you dried out, worn out, needing more…

Here’s what we need to know: He is enough. Especially when we are not. even. close. 

So rather than a list of “To-Do’s”  how about a list of “Not- To-Do’s” for 2015?

  • We will not over-commit ourselves. We will say no, graciously and confidently all the while smiling– knowing that the space left when we leave space is the space that can be filled with what God wants there. 
  • We will find pockets of time for self-care and will accept it without guilt knowing that a drained, empty giver is one that has very little to give.
  • We will not slide into the slippery pit of comparison. We will not self-deprecate alongside her victory. We will not shrink into hiding with the thought that it’s already being said and more beautifully. We will not throw in the towel when we feel like a minnow in an ocean of big, bigger and biggest fish.
  • We will not forget that there is always room at the table for more. And if this table seems too small, we need only add a leaf to the table to make it bigger… And pull up more chairs.
  • We will not forget Psalm 127:1 “Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain.” 

So welcome to 2015. Whatever you’re building, planning, writing, doing, hoping– know that He is faithful and He SEES you. “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6

IMG_1868
(Photo taken at the lovely Allume Conference this past October)

Back writing with the Five Minute Friday crew! Want to hop over and read what others did with the word, Welcome?

Things I Learned in 2014
3 Things for Your Tuesday

Comments

  1. 1

    Karen Brown says

    January 8, 2015 at 10:42 pm

    Praise God that He is faithful, even when I am not. “know that He is faithful and He SEES you” Beautiful! Thank you~

    Reply
  2. 2

    Marcy Hanson says

    January 8, 2015 at 10:45 pm

    Holy crap. Yeah, this. This is what I needed. Like a breath of fresh air that I had to keep slowing down and breathing through. Like I need to slow more and re-read. I’m not running tonight. Just like so many nights stacked up in a row. Because it’s gotten too late and too cold and too dark with not enough street lights. But I feel like I need to wait and go after the kids go to bed-but that’s not fair to me or to them. Thank you for that reminder. Sigh. Yes.

    Reply
  3. 3

    Anita Ojeda says

    January 8, 2015 at 11:23 pm

    I love your list of not-to-dos. I always need help staying off the slippy slope of comparison! I will not do it…I will not do it! Thanks for the pep talk!

    Reply
  4. 4

    Barbara says

    January 8, 2015 at 11:50 pm

    GREAT!! Thank you for your warm welcome!! Welcome to a new year – and many new things ahead for all of us! Thank you God there ARE do-overs and do-continues and time to do all of the above!!

    Reply
  5. 5

    ❖ LeeAnn Taylor (@leeanngtaylor) says

    January 9, 2015 at 2:44 am

    I love your list, especially the verse. Thank you for the reminder that all we build must be built on God’s foundation for it to last!

    Reply
  6. 6

    Jolene says

    January 9, 2015 at 6:40 am

    These were all so great! I’m one that can really compare myself and this was great encouragement! Blessings!

    Reply
  7. 7

    amypboyd says

    January 9, 2015 at 9:45 am

    I think I will change to a Not-to-Do list for 2015. It is only 9 days in and I already feel I am running behind and drowning in expectations. Thank you for sharing. (PS I love that picture. I used on just like it)

    Reply
  8. 8

    Rachel Quigley says

    January 9, 2015 at 10:13 am

    This is great! I love your “Not to do” list! What a great reminder as we head into this new year! Thank you!

    Reply
  9. 9

    hopeful50 says

    January 9, 2015 at 11:30 am

    How refreshing, a “not to-do” list! Perfect.

    Reply
  10. 10

    karrileea says

    January 9, 2015 at 11:32 am

    Amen, my friend! Just so much Amen! I remember hearing Myquillyn speak of Not-To-Do lists a couple of years ago and you know for this Bossy List Making girl – that was revolutionary thinking – but so freeing! I love every single one of your Not-To-Do’s! GREAT post, my friend!

    Reply

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Hey There!

I'm Cynthia and I'm so glad you're here. I am an introvert with an extrovert's love of gathering people together. I love good books and capturing moments. Whether you visit me here or on my own front porch, I'll be the one holding the Iced Coffee for us both.

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happygostuckey

Instagram post 2191701631330368631_396980240 This year, the 🍋lemon tree🌿 gave fewer lemons than normal. I asked my Dad and he confirmed, just a slow year.

So we picked (still armfuls,) and I’ll love every one.
If you read #feastingandforaging (have I mentioned I wrote a book? Gosh, that is never not awkward.😅) If you read it, then you know how special this tree is to me.

Again this year, I’m reminded all over again that our sweetest gifts are sometimes cloaked in harder things. Often our ‘unexpected ugh’ makes way for what we truly need.

And I just want you to know that if this December is already more than you wanted or less than you hoped, if you’re sitting at the end of a very long year— take courage.
Take peace.
Take hope and as you pass around the gift of the Advent to those beside you, don’t forget to also take some for yourself.

Don’t forget to remember that the Hope of this season (and every other,) cannot be squelched by sickness, pain, or the general ugh of life in a broken world.

We have this Hope and it is one that won’t be diminished by anything that could land in our laps today.
#prepareHimroom
Instagram post 2191016735687527448_396980240 Sometimes I think I could live in New York but I’m low-key afraid I might eat bagels every day. 🥯🍎☕️ (TB to October when @friar_stuck and I took our Pio Bagels to @devocionusa and pretended we were regulars.) ✨What city would you love to live in if it didn’t mean leaving where you are?✨
Instagram post 2189510127085979732_396980240 Home sweet merry little home.🎄This December will be busier than most for our family, so I’m treasuring every single slow moment we are gifted. Starting today with homemade lattes and little white lights.✨ #merrymerrystuckeys
Instagram post 2187513959237917323_396980240 We can all agree the point of the charcuterie platter is to get as many family members into one room at once, right? The cheese is just a bonus. {yes, second charcuterie pic this week. Because holidays. And family. And the sweet full feeling that comes not from eating too much pie, but seeing almost all of your entire family in one day.} ❤️🦃 Happy Thanksgiving, dear friends. 
#feastingandforaging #charcuterieboard #f52byyou #allthecheese #gratefulforhome #savourtheseasonalshift #simplethingsmadebeautiful #merrymerrystuckeys #almondavenuecrew
Instagram post 2185903851697559572_396980240 🍁Maybe she’s born with it.
Maybe it’s Maple Leaves.🍁 I know that when the clock strikes midnight on Thursday, everyone switches to Christmas— but I’m probably going to be here with leaf spam for just a bit longer... 😏
Instagram post 2183058239117455684_396980240 ✨In a world where you can be anything, be the one who volunteers to bring charcuterie. ✨
🧀🥖🍇🌿
Bonus points if your flannel shirt- wearing husband can hold said charcuterie while you take a million photos of cheese in the golden hour.

#feastingandforaging #charcuterieboard #thanksgivingdinner #onthetable #f52byyou #foodie #savourtheseasonalshift #simplethingsmadebeautiful #chasethelight #bluehousekitchen #merrymerrystuckeys #gratefuldays #cheeseboard #gratefulforhome #iwentlookingforbeauty #ofsimplethings
Instagram post 2181659993774021605_396980240 You’re Kale-ing me, smalls.

Listen. Kale is that self-righteous leafy green that everyone feels like they should eat, meanwhile many of us are secretly not enjoying it and I just need to say— yes, but... have you massaged your kale?

No, don’t go. I promise this is not a joke. Kale is packed with vitamins, but it’s kind of bitter and grass-clipping-like. However. 3-5 minutes of prep work and it’s downright tasty. Here’s my three step process—

Remove the stems and rip your kale in large bite sized pieces.
Add it to a bowl with a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of kosher salt. 
Massage it. Really. With your hands. For 3-4 minutes. The kale will darken in color and will release that bitter smell.

And... you’re done. Now build your kale salad with the total certainty that you won’t get tired of chewing before the end of your meal. 
Pictured: Kale Caesar Salad with Ten Minute Croutons from #feastingandforaging 🥖🌿
Instagram post 2179451951070532163_396980240 Another fall.
Here in this city we love.
Here in this BlueHouse where we’ve learned to mark our days in falling leaves & saturday morning pancakes.

I’m not sure where you are and how you feel about tomorrow, or next month even. But before the weekend wears the clothes of Monday preparation, here is your friendly reminder—

Even if the future is obscured by foggy uncertainty, the present can still be shimmering with lovely. 
#feastingandforaging #hopewriters #hopelenses #simplethingsmadebeautiful #savourtheseasonalshift #daysofsmallthings #ofsimplethings #beallthere #weareplacemakers 
#nothingisordinary #lifegivinghome #learntolovewhatmustbedone #chasinglight #everydayfaithfulness #gratefulforhome
Instagram post 2175841201919747949_396980240 There is nothing like a blustery, drizzly day to remind you of all the reasons why November is lovely in all its getting-dark-early glory. ✨
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