Reminders of Years Past & Bringing In the Year of Rehoboth!

Greatest Reminder of Years Past: It’s Rehoboth time!

Welcome to 2018! From our home to yours. I’m starting my day late. I’m excusing myself from my decision to eat eggplant parmigiana for breakfast, but breakfast was at 11:30AM. I guess I’m alright.

As I sat, here, in our dining room, I heard 3 conversations going on.

Justin, as he was sweeping the living room floor, and he was saying to me, and his sister, “I’m so happy Mom. I feel great, and God has done amazing things for us Mom. I’m telling you, Mom, I’m giving you one word, “Rehoboth!” It’s going to be this kind of year for us, Mom.”

Justin is amazing. No matter what goes on, he always looks at the bright side. Nothing bothers this child of mine. For every single negative, he only talks about a positive. He is consistent in every single circumstance. He not only makes the best of the situation but he somehow manages to get blessed and triumphs over whatever might be going on. It’s amazing and humbling to me.

Ellianna, she’s my silent child. She speaks only when necessary. But she speaks with wisdom which leaves me and everyone around us totally speechless. I watch how she relates to animals, and she really is gifted. We spent months last year and the previous year, totally emerged in studying all sorts of animals. It was shocking how at the age of 11-12 this girl could get the attention of tigers, whales, and the rest, but I noticed a trait she possesses. She is quiet in her ways, very secure with herself, and really knows her subject. She’s my little dream girl. She can do anything with great strength and confidence. There she was in front of me today training her cat to do tricks. Cat’s don’t do that! She managed to get this cat to do as a dog would do. Amazing!

My Parents, married forever and a day! My dad is in a wheelchair now and my mom takes care of him with such love. My parents are unique. My parents are both very strong individual, but, my Mom always knew my dad was the Head of the house, and my dad always moved with my Mom's ideas and thoughts. They work together as a team. This why their marriage survived. Neither of them acted as self. It has always been a relationship of one. So many discussions in front of us. They always ended up making decisions together without any grudges. My Dad loves my Mom, and he values her and her opinion. She’s first, and always has been. My Mom loves my dad back, protects him, honors him, and sees him as the hero of our family, and he is!

As I sit here, this morning eating, this delicious eggplant parmigiana, (why does everything so delicious have many calories?) I’m enjoying the years of past. Yes, you read this right.

You see, a year ago, Justin was very ill. Ellianna was hurting, my parents were struggling with my dad’s Parkinson’s. I realized in order to appreciate all I was seeing and hearing there had to be a past. Years of instructions to my children, and years of learning, watching, observing, and putting into practice a lifetime of trust, hope, and believe in a God that is in very present in everything.

The years of the past are the years that mold and shape us. We can become bitter and negative, or we can become sweeter, and positive. No one arrives anywhere without a road they have followed. We need to look carefully on the road we are on, and the destination it will ultimately bring us, too. We need to acknowledge and own up to our own mistakes, and have the courage to change what is destructive, even if others don’t like it. Hiding things never works. We only hurt ourselves, and those whom we claim to love.

My road has been at times, rocky, mountainous, valleys, plains, deserts, and even wastelands. But, all those roads had great purposes, and God showed Himself in each one of them, strong. He taught me what was necessary, so that this morning, I had a replay in my mind of years past. There’s nothing wrong about looking back if looking back serves as a reminder of thanksgiving to a God that performed wonders. Granted there are times when God says, “Don’t look back.” This perspective of mine today isn’t about those times.

Rather, it’s a time of reflection that brought me down memory lane. A time, I was my children’s ages, and younger. I watched my parents argue, disagree, I watched them always coming to a conclusion together. I watched them love God, each other, us, the family, friends, and strangers. I watched them be a real loving couple, parents that took the time to be with us. Friday nights was family night. No excuses, my Dad read the word, my mom prayed over us, and we played together. Even if I didn’t like some of their Italian cultural ways. I learned quickly how to compromise, respect, honor, submit myself, and love as they love people. I learned how to parent from the best. I’m proud of my three brothers and the families they are raising. This holiday season was a very meaningful one for me. Watching my nieces and nephew play, and love each other. Sharing, and helping each other. And the gazillion and one kisses I received from them was priceless. I mean as I lay on the couch sick with a cold, they covered me in blankets, kissed my forehead, my hands, my face. Hugging me, crawling all over me, jumping on top of me, all at the same time, squishing me to death, and laying their precious little hands praying God would heal their, “Zizi!”

Who knew that one breakfast of eggplant parmigiana, would lead me to so many memories of past? Lastly, my dad’s health is very painful to watch. He talks a lot less, (Not so many corrections he has for me lately) I laugh and tease him at times. “Dad, I know, know, know, you don’t like my comment right now. Come on tell me so!” He knows, I said the comment on purpose to get him to yell at me. He’s not stupid; he’s one of the smartest men I know. But, I see a never-given up spirit in him, and when I think he gave up? I begin my yelling, “Enough, Papa! Get up and walk before I toss that stupid wheelchair out the door!” So, to please me, he gets up and starts to push himself. I nicked named him “tinkle toes.” His Parkinson’s doesn’t allow him to walk normally. I see his pain, but every single night, I see his hands high to the sky, and I hear a voice of gratitude for all God did for him, and his family. He always tells us to trust God, and honor Him in all situations. My dad never complains. I wish I was like him. I feel ashamed with all of my complaining. God is definitely, convicting me this morning, and I’m sharing it with you. We all can learn from these imperfections of mine.

Is it a wonder that my faith, trust, hope, love, never give up attitude, and positive behaviors, and those of my children are so strong? I have my amazing parents, and my children had the privilege of being raised in the same house with my parents. My Dad and Ellianna share same passion for animals. Is it then a wonder that my children would be such amazing children? They observed the same principles as I have. They are who they are because their grandparents model very well.

I say, “All the years of past made me and my children who we are!” We are blessed and privileged beyond measure. Not because we had it easy, but because all the times of our lives were orchestrated by the greatest conductor, and we choose to bless the Lord instead of cursing. We pressed on, in the baddest of times, believing the next year would be a better one. Yes, Justin loves this word, "Rehoboth!" I know he caught the same Spirit of his mentor Pastor Prince Obinna who is leading his family and his church family, and brought the word "Rehoboth" forward.

Friends, don’t despise your early beginnings, rather learn from them. Determine to become better, teach it to the next generation, and the truths you instill will not come back void. They will achieve all the purposes of our God. They will bring forth a good crop, and be fruitful beyond what can be contained. They will spill over and bring forth their own trees, producing more fruit, more crop, and many more trees. You get my point?

Welcome to 2018, make it “The year of your Rehoboth!”

INSIGHT: Rehoboth means, "enlargement" and "flourishing." The one thing we keep doing as children of God is we keep flourishing. We don't stop flourishing in the things of God as we are pursuing them and seeking after Him and His righteousness. We move forward. What are you looking to see God do this new year? What do you desire for your relationship with God? And what are you willing to do or give up for God to bring you into new territory (greater plans He has for you)? What are you willing to do for God to enlarge your territory? What are you willing to do for God to continue to pour out His blessings upon you and for Him to pour them out more abundantly?

MEDITATE: "Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel's hand..." -Zechariah 4:10

We are the sowers, and God is the One Who Gives The Increase. However, we cannot just sit around. We must do His Work with willing hearts and the attitude of a servant. God has a work for you to do, and God rejoices when He sees the work begin so don't hate the small beginnings. The small beginnings are the start of big productions God is orchestrating. Our God is amazing, and He will bless the work you do for Him. Put your hands to the plow, do your best, and He'll take care of bringing everything He has promised you to fruition.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, Your joy is my strength. Thank You for being my Guide and the One Who Lights My Way. Thank You for Your goodness to me this past year, and thank You for this new year that You have given me so I may continue to serve You. Lord, bless me and enlarge my territory as only You can do. Let Your hands be upon me, keeping me from harm so I can do all You have called me to do and complete the tasks You have set before me. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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