Reflection

While looking up a word in the online dictionary a statement caught my attention, it was, “The Oxford Word of the Year is a word or expression that is judged to reflect the ethos, mood, or preoccupations of the passing year, and have lasting potential as a term of cultural significance.” Do you know what the 2018 Word of the Year is….toxic. Isn’t that a sad way to describe anything, let alone a whole year.

With 2018 wrapping up today it is always a time to look back and reflect on the past year. What were the highlights, the best memories, the things you hope you never have to go through again and the things you plan to continue into the New Year? We all do our own version of the year in review.

This blog has been a wonderful gift from God to me. Part of researching what to write comes from reading comments in my journals from the past year. When I re-read the entries, I not only get to relive the memory, but I always get to see God’s faithfulness. No matter what was going on or how I was feeling, He was always right beside me.

There have been many times as I was reading that I could feel the raw emotion, but this time it was from the other side of the situation. It had already played out and the emotion was not as strong because I knew the ending. Kind of like the book of Job. We know the story and it is very traumatic, but we know what happens in the end. The same with the Bible, so many stories that cover any situation we will ever encounter and we know that God wins in the end.

If you had to sum up your year in one word, what would it be? For me I think the word would be change. It’s been a year of changing where I live, my health, family and job dynamics, finances, my attitude and so much more. Some of it has been tough with lots of tears, doubts and frustration. Some has been more exciting that I ever could have imagined. But through it all, God has remained faithful.

As the new year begins, I also think that we can choose how we would like to describe it because we will be striving for that description. Whatever that word might be, we need to pray about it and take God’s leading, weigh the cost of obtaining it, commit to make it happen and do our part. God will be doing His.

For me that word is adventure. I want 2019 to be a year of adventures where I get out there and meet new people, take chances on the things that God leads me to, do my best to be faithful and trusting when it gets tough and know that when the year is done, I will be saying, “What a great adventure that was! Thank you God!

My prayer

Father, I thank you for this past year. So many lessons, rescues and changes all done with love. You are a good Father, You are my Father and I look forward to whatever You have in store for me in the coming year. When it gets tough, remind me that You are faithful. When it’s joyful, help me bring joy to others. Help me enjoy the process and the adventures knowing You are right there with me. Bless those reading these posts with a wonderful new year as well. Help then know how much they are loved and give them joy, prosperity and courage in the year ahead. Amen

Where does my help come from?

Psalm 36:5

“Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.”