Hope in a New Year

As we welcome a New Year, I come into this year not certain of how it will end.

None of us know how it will end.

I’m reminded in the Bible, Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own (Matt 6:34)

God wants me to lean and depend on Him and His Word explains that the more that I do that the more He is glorified from my complete dependence on Him. That can be so very challenging for a person who likes to have everything in order and together. I don’t do well with the unknown.

I received a neat Christmas gift from a friend. It’s a devotional book entitled “Devotions for everyday of the Year: Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young. The book is written as if God were talking to you, calling out from His Word.

The January 6^th entry says,

“I am able to do far beyond all that you as or imagine. Come to Me with positive expectations, knowing that there is no limit to what I can accomplish. As My Spirit to control your mind, so that you can think great thoughts of Me. Do not be discouraged by the fact that many of your prayers are yet unanswered. Time is a trainer, teaching you to wait upon Me, to trust Me in the dark. The more extreme your circumstances, the more likely you are to see My Power and Glory at work in the situation. Instead of letting difficulties draw you into worrying, try to view them as setting the scene for My glorious intervention. Keep your eyes and your mind wide open to all that I am doing in your life.

Ephesians 3:20-21, Romans 8:6, Isaiah 40:30-31, Revelation 5:13

This reminder was just what I needed to keep hoping in God. That He hasn’t forgotten my heart’s desire.

When its Dark

The last time that I found myself in a “dark” place spiritually or I should say consistently consumed with the unknowns of how something would turn out it was helpful to document what I was feeling.

Eight years ago we built a home for our family. It was the most challenging experience of my life. What’s interesting was it was self-inflicted. No one MADE us build the house that we built, but we definitely felt led to do it and was confident that God would provide for us.

And, there were a lot of unknowns throughout that process. Unmet deadlines, questionable funding, unreliable subcontractors, etc. So many factors that contributed to daily stress. If I could put it plainly.

Now, 8 years later as I reflect back on the process its interesting to ponder over how God in His sovereignty brought us through that process. There were many moments that we didn’t know how we would continue on and God saw us through.

Many tearful moments and prayers lifted up for God to be glorified in the construction of our home and now there are many tearful moments and prayers lifted up to leave this place.

To move on to an even higher glorification of my Father out of sacrifice, pruning, giving up of something that God was so gracious to give to us.

I remain hopeful that God has a plan for our family and that He will glorified beyond measure.