I’m writing this after an incredibly busy year. I haven’t been able to do much of this, partly due to the new responsibilities of being a dad, but also due to my mental bandwidth not having much fuel in the tank. This happens a lot when I’m stressed or been running on empty in a spiritual sense, and often leads me to veg out or nap along with sweet Violet.
The year has been filled with so much, the blessings of our little family growing and the pains of outside forces I couldn’t control. I like control, as much as I want to say “I give it all to God!” The truth is that I like having a hold of all the pieces in front of me, and when I don’t, dread creeps in. This feeling is scary and causes me to freeze, even when I know I should stand and face it head on. I just can’t. But God is good and hasn’t failed me yet.
He reminds me to have joy, so much joy despite what I feel or what comes my way.
This past year, my word I chose to focus on was, “wonder.” Wonder means to look at the world around you and see the possibilities of what things can be. It’s a better perspective than what may be sitting in your lap. Little did I know how much weight I would have thrust onto me this year, and wonder became a difficult thing to embrace, but, God. As He always does, He loves and reminds me to love.
In the midst of this past year, I wanted to write more and have some space to think, but I had to shift and focus on other responsibilities. Being a dad has been amazing and obviously comes with things to do, but the majority came from my work and ministry side. I joked last year after a busy student ministry summer that this year would be different, and after my plate became stuffed and overflowing this summer, I will not be making that joke again. I love ministry and love being able to pastor people, but some of the tasks and dealing with people make it sometimes hard. Maybe it’s bad for me to say that and post about it here, but if you’re reading this and got to this point (maybe a hate read?) just know I love you and God wants to soften your heart (that’s Jesus-talk for quit being a jerk).
There were plenty of moments where I just had to make it through the day and come home to a safe place where I got to be with my dear Danielle and sweet little Violet. I also learned how important it is to be rooted in Christ and not what others think of me and say of me, because at the end of the day, my worth and value come from my loving creator.
This mindset helped me come up with a word to focus on this year, “rooted.” Stemming from John 15, where Jesus tells us that when we are connected to the vine we are connected to the source of life. I want to be rooted, rooted in God’s word and the actions of His love, especially in a world where there are bad representations of that love.
To be rooted means that I am planted in good soil and the fruit of that can be given out freely, it also means that I know how to have joy no matter what comes my way. Focusing on what matters, and pruning what no longer serves me and my family.
Simple, sure, but following Jesus is often much simpler than we make it.
I am so thankful for the past year, for how I was stretched and refined in fire, helping me be a kinder person, a better husband to my best friend and a loving father to my little daughter. There were hard moments of course, but I refuse to let anything or anyone steal my joy.
Here’s to this coming year, a year where I will be more rooted and remain in the presence of the one who cares for me in all things. Here’s to joy in the seasons, each one has so much in store and I cannot wait to see what will come.
Peace, friends. I hope you, too, will be rooted and find joy in the seasons.
-Joshua
About the Author: Joshua Thomas is a husband, father, and pastor doing what he can to love others the way Jesus did. You can find him reading a good book, sipping warm tea, taking pictures, or dreaming. He may not have it all figured out, but the journey is the best part. You can find him on the only social media he uses, Instagram, @joshua_thomas__
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