New Year, New Me!

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Happy New Year!  2010 is out the door and 2011 is in!

I must admit that 2010 was quite a challenge for our family………unemployment, finding out how miserable one of our children were that ended in divorce, losing my Mother, constant worry and prayer for the seriousness of addictions within our family, the health of a broth-in-law, the economy brought stress on my job like I never knew existed!  Yes, I’m sure each of us has had our ups and downs, but did you know that God was right there beside us through all those ups and downs and still is as we deal with these every day. It is part of His plan to make us who we are and to be stronger. I love the song, “He never told us that the cross would not be heavy or the hill would not be hard to climb”! See our Savior knows that because he lived it.

What about those New Year Resolutions? Did you make any? Have you ever been successful in keeping them? I gave up on those years ago!  I have not seen anywhere in the Bible that mentions making New Year’s resolutions, but I know that regular reading of the Bible, teaches us to examine our self regularly, and by faith, to seek God's direction to become better a person. This is a worthwhile overall resolution. The only one I need.

As we get older life seems to go faster and faster with no time left for quite time with the Lord. Don’t misunderstand me, I’m not making up excuses, life is all about choices. It is also about juggling a career, housework, cooking, and family. I know God did not intend for us to always be so busy that we could not find time for Him, therefore I am going to challenge myself again, (notice how I said “Challenge” instead of Resolution, and yes I said again) to read the “One Year Chronological Bible”. I began last year (with a different version) and made a really good effort until June then I began to get behind and felt like I was too far behind to catch up, so I quit. (I hate those words, I quit)!

Tonight I started new! New Year, New Me! I read God’s word for January 1, 2011 in a quiet place with no disruptions and nothing on my mind but Him.

I then prayed, was still and listened for what He wants me to do to fulfill his plan for me. I know in Jeremiah tells us He has a plan for each of us, a hope and a future!

Jeremiah 55:8 says “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.”  With that said, I am going to stop trying to figure out what path He wants me to take because he already knows! I will be faithful to His call and will be ready to follow.

Goodnight to all and “I pray that God, who gives you hope, will keep you happy and full of peace as you believe in him.  May you overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

Kelly