Beauty on the Backroads

Stories of grace for life's unexpected turns

putting on the new

The lean days

January. A new year. As much as I appreciate the chance to begin again, I have not always looked forward to these first months of the year.

In recent history, they have been lean days for our family, a time when the work hours reduce and the money stretches but not quite far enough and by early spring we feel like we’re behind and playing catch up for the rest of the year.

This year, the leanness is compounded by unemployment that began on day one of the new year and we find ourselves in an extra state of leanness, one we didn’t predict.

Umit Bulut via Unsplash

It is easy to want to complain and bemoan these circumstances, to long for excess and security and margin, especially where finances are concerned. To be honest, we’ve never really had those things, and to be more honest, I’m not sure I really want them all that much.

When I think back on our leanest days, including the present, they are some of my favorite times.

Why? I have three reasons.

Read the rest of this post at Putting on the New, where I blog on the 12th of each month.

 

The Climb {or What Doesn’t Happen in a Day}

climb-vertical

Amanda Perez via Unsplash

In early August I agreed to take part in a team challenge to raise money and awareness for a local refugee resettlement organization. The goal: Each team member would walk or run 100 miles in eight weeks. I opted to walk, and I knew it would be tough, but I wanted to give it a try.

When the eight weeks were up, I had fallen short of the goal, but I had still logged 80 miles of walking. Even now, a month after the challenge ended, I’m still not quite to the 100-mile mark, but I’m getting closer with every step.

At the beginning of the challenge, 100 miles seemed like an impossible dream. How could a few days of one- and two-mile walks ever amount to anything? But they did. Those seemingly small numbers added up, and together, they made something significant.

I’m beginning to think this is the way of all things.

Read the rest of this post at Putting on the New, where I write on the 12th of each month.