I am currently sitting here with Fox News Channel playing in the background waiting to ring in the new year, and pondering all that has happened in 2015.

2015 was by far the hardest year of my life. If you have followed my journey over the past year, you know that I have had some major health problems. A little less than one year ago I had my colon removed, and following surgery I had some major complications that I am still recovering from to this day. I have never been more thankful to be alive at the coming of a new year than at this one. Even though this year has been an enormous struggle for both me and my family, I can honestly say I am more at peace now that I have ever been, and that is truly a miracle from the Lord.

I have quit striving and living in the “I wants,” and the “what ifs,” and instead am finding my rest in the Lord. 

No matter how much I dwell on what I wish was happening or what I want my life to be — my life is what it is, and the Lord calls me to be thankful for that. The life I wish could be, or all the “I wants” that I can imagine are not God’s purposes for me right now. Even though my present circumstances are not what I would have initially picked for myself, this is what God desires to be and therefore my life is good. 

No dream or purpose for your life will ever be greater than God’s plan and His way is always the best way.

Earlier this year I let everything go and received God’s peace and acceptance regarding the present, and I am truly experiencing the peace from God that passes all understanding. Because of that there is no place I would rather be. Life is still hard and I do not know what is ahead but I can live at rest because God is leading me, and He will never let me down.

As I have thought and prayed over the coming year the Lord has continued to bring to mind a certain word, and that is restore. He has also continually brought me to the following verses, and my theme verses for the year are found in both Luke and 1 Peter. They are:

“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” ~1 Peter 5:10

“Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”
~Luke 1:45

 

I pray that 2016 is a year of restoration and hope in my life and relationship with the Lord, and look forward to all that He will teach me and the promises He will fulfill. As 2016 begins, I have a strong desire to read through the Bible in a year. I have not done this in a long time, and I feel like God is leading me to do so this year. As children of God we are called to set our minds on things above, not on earthly things, and the main way we can do that is by digging in the Word.

My mom and I are doing this together, and I know that this will bring truth and encouragement to our souls. I am amazed that no matter how many times I pick up the Bible, there is always something new to be learned. If you are looking for something specific to do during your quiet times, or have a deeper desire to get in the word — I would urge you to join me in this challenge and read through the Bible. Throughout the year, I will be writing about what God is teaching me and I would love for you to join in on the journey. I will be using The Message Remix – A Daily Reading Bible. The Message is a paraphrase of the Bible and while I do not recommend using it for intense Bible and word studies it is helpful in daily and personal reading. You can find it here. You can also find other reading plans from YouVersion. No matter what you do — always make spending time in the Word your most important priority in the day because that is how you will find ultimate fulfillment and contentment in life.

Happy New Year to you and yours, and I pray that God fills you with His love and joy all throughout the year. Seek His face always. Happy 2016!