Like the flickering candle that I light on the kitchen table most days, light amidst shadows was 2023.
The shadows of financial stress hung heavy over us most of the year as we continue to build businesses. Yet these shadows were brightened with the miracles of supernatural provision in the nick of bill-paying time. I’m thankful for a level-headed and hard-working husband even when I feel afraid, and thankful for the sparrows on my deck that remind me of a Heavenly Father’s good gifts.
The natural shadows of the seasons were set aglow by over 800 hours outside in sunshine, rain, and wind. Playdates and playgrounds. Camping and road trips. Picnics and parties. Woods and walks. Lots of layers and lots of snacks.
Lucia was due on the summer solstice, but was born in the middle of the day, a few hours after the super moon on July 3rd, but not quite hitting the fireworks of July 4th. She was exactly who our family needed this year. Our “light” girl’s name aptly suits her sunny and strong personality!
The hurtful shadows of a friend’s betrayal this summer were countered with the light of forging closer community with other friends. We celebrated five weddings, and This is what staying power looks like - showing up and forgiving, celebrating and praying together.
Shadows of miscommunication in our marriage led to illuminating counseling sessions where we are learning to combine our responsibility orbits into more of a Venn Diagram than two completely separate circles.
The birthday candles wrote out “30” for me this year and I love a good celebration. The first was a small gathering with friends in my home and the second was a blazing bonfire on a frosty November night.
Now we have reached December and the soft lights on the tree fill my home. The oven is baking treats. I’ve started a new habit of getting up at 6am and sitting on the porch to copy scripture half asleep, breathe nippy air, and catch the first lights of the morning - pink, orange, yellow. It’s been shadowy, but light always outshines.
“Keep your face always towards the sunshine - and shadows will fall behind you.”
- Walt Whitman
This post is part of a blog hop with Exhale—an online community of women pursuing creativity alongside motherhood, led by the writing team behind Coffee + Crumbs. Click here to view the next post in the series "365 Words".
Beautiful! “light amidst shadows was 2023”--what an apt description of a hard, yet grace-filled year ✨
Elizabeth, I love the light metaphor throughout. The first sentence in particular is stunning.