Because…we look forward
Across Facebook we see posters share the “my year in review” post and I think, do I want to review my year? How about you? Let’s be honest, there was some craziness in 2014.
I’ve had some- Oh Lord, Please Lord, No Lord, Yes Lord, Don’t Lord, Why Lord, Help Lord and a lot of Thanks Lord.
A wise woman told me in 1991 during a health crisis, “In six months you will look back on today and say, ‘that wasn’t as bad as I thought it was’ “. And, give or take a month or so, she was right. It’s amazing how passing time changes us.
Changes us…because that’s really why adversity and challenges are allowed isn’t it? Jesus’ half brother James tells us in 1:2-4 to “Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.” (MSG)
Some of those “gifts” can be hard to accept. Hello? I would have really liked to re-gift them back to the giver. Retaliation seems so enticing at the time. Or maybe the “gift” didn’t really have anything to do with another person. Maybe it was just the difficulties of life. Can we just wrap those up with a pretty bow and return to sender?
What I want you to remember – all of us to remember- is that we are in this together. We were never meant to live life alone. Trials, challenges and sufferings make for a big group. Members abound.
Let’s get geared up for 2015 – the good, the bad, the beautiful, the ugly. There’s some life that needs to be lived, some ministry that needs to be done, some fun to be had and some pain to learn from. May our knees not tremble at the thought of the coming year. God’s walking with us. He never leaves, forsakes, sleeps, lies, or forgets a promise. He never loses a battle or looks at us and says, “Uh oh”. I want to stake a claim on Isaiah 43:19 as my verse for the year.
Ramona Calvert gave good advice when she told her daughter Birdie Pruitt in the movie Hope Floats to, “get out there and get the stink blown off ya”.
Welcome 2015. We’ve been waiting on you.
Dear Lord, we couldn’t have made it without You. Satan threw some stuff our way this year and You helped us not lose our minds or our way. For every trail, You blessed us ten fold. Thank you. Hopefully, with every struggle, we look more like You. It is with anticipation we welcome 2015. I ask you to bless those who read this prayer with good health, stable finances, peaceful homes, mended relationships, healed hearts and an overwhelming desire to get to know You better. Make Your word come alive for us as we read. Place a hunger in us to do Your will and then help us not stumble as we walk the path set before us. We want to hear You as You speak to our hearts. Oh Lord, don’t let us become deaf to Your voice. Bless our businesses and our jobs. Use us in the workplace to shine a light where there may be darkness. Lord, protect those we love. We trust You with their care. We look forward to see how You make possible what seems impossible in our lives.
We love you Lord. May we never bring reproach on Your name Jesus. Amen
Writing with some friends at 
hi Carmen, thanks for this encouraging post on facing the challenges and joys of the new year! How do I subscribe to your blog? Didn’t see an opportunity on your page. Blessings, karen
Oops! I found the subscription opportunity. Now I’m all subscribed to your posts. :o)
Karen I’m so glad you stopped by for a visit. I’m also glad to see you located the email subscription box. Thanks for signing up and I look forward to visiting again. Blessings to you!
I love the idea of ‘re-gifting’ our trials ;). But you’re right–we should follow James’ advice and embrace our trials because they are challenges through which we can grow ever closer to Jesus.
Girl, I would just love to re-gift some of those trials. I know I am stronger and more like Jesus but don’t you just wish sometimes there was a much easier way? :) Thanks for stopping by!
This is great! I have gone through things in the past and become bitter and cold. I was forced to find my faith again and to soften my heart. It is amazing how God really uses those times to change and mold us!
Hey Katina! Thanks for sharing your heart. Yes indeed, I have been changed through adversity and often times didn’t like it one bit. But, I’m so glad Jesus was willing to work with me and make more like Him. He offers a chance to be better. Such a blessing. I’m glad you stopped by.
Hi, Carmen! Isaiah 43:19 is my verse for 2015, too! You’ve written an inspiring post! Good words here! Wishing you all JOY in 2015!
Hey June! That’s a great verse to claim. Thanks for your kind words and for stopping by. Many blessings to you in 2015!
What a wonderful welcome to 2015 – filled with such important reminders. Love Isaiah 43:19 Staked on that very promise, we have no reason to tremble. Thanks for sharing these words of wisdom!
Yes ma’am Deanna. I am reminding myself that with God I don’t need to be worried about the future. God will do to depend on!
Thank you for sharing this wonderful post Carmen! It blessed my heart greatly! God bless and Happy New Year! :)
Hey Ruth! I’m glad you were blessed. May God bless you and your ministry oodles in the new year. Thanks for stopping by!
I LOVE this, Carmen: “God’s walking with us. He never leaves, forsakes, sleeps, lies, or forgets a promise. He never loses a battle or looks at us and says, “Uh oh”. Let’s walk into a new year. (That verse, Isaiah 43:19, is what the Lord said to us when He called us to church planting!)
Betsy you are such an encourager. Looking forward to seeing what God’s got planned for 2015. What a wonderful verse to send you for confirmation on your family’s calling. God is good.
Love the Jan 1 post! Self-correction, i.e. getting the stink blown off ya and adjusting accordingly, is a great gift indeed. And of course, beautifully expressed as usual C.
I just love “Hope Floats”. Hope does indeed rise when we give it a chance. Thanks for stopping by for a chat Phil. And, thank you for your kind words.
This spoke to my heart (almost as if it were written just for me!) and I’m so grateful to have survived the craziness of 2014.
Me too Tondra! God is so good to send a word just when we need it. Many blessings on your 2015! Thanks for stopping by.
I’ve had a few gifts this year I’d like to return to sender. :)
Love, love, love that verse. Here’s to new things in a new year–trusting that even the “bad” is making something new.
Amazing! Just what I needed today. Like you and so many others, 2014 was a hard year. But God! Happy 2015 my friend. May God bless you beyond measure!
Thank you friend. I’m so glad you were encouraged. Happy New Year to you! God’s gotta a great plan. Blessings on you and yours.
Yes ma’am Sandra. I am looking forward to a wonderful 2015. Blessings on you. Thanks for stopping by!