Happy New Years Day! It is 2017!
The last year (well let’s make that two years) have been extremely hard for me. As many of you know I have had continued health problems that have resulted in me being homebound. My word for 2016 was restore. Even though physical and healing restoration has not occurred, God has restored me spiritually. The past few months have been spent pouring over the Scriptures and in prayer, which has been the balm my wandering soul needed. I am Type A by nature so the circumstances of the past two years have driven me crazy. I always like to have a plan — something to anticipate — to hope for, and I have not had that in the way I would prefer. I have no plan for the year. My health has robbed me of what I feel is the “normal” way to spend my days. What I mean is that I don’t have the hope of going back to a job anytime soon, or the hope of continuing my education, a husband, and the list could go on and on. However, the Lord has so sweetly reminded me that I can and always will be able to hope in Him.
He is my hope, my husband, my strength, and the lover of my soul. He is and always will be enough.
While 2017 may not be starting out in the way I hoped it would one year ago, it is starting out exactly as the Lord wills it, and that makes today a joyous one. Instead of worrying about when I am getting better, or when/if I will be able to work again — I am going to take my life and plans one moment, and day at a time.
I choose to spend my days delighting in the Lord and committing my ways to Him, and whatever God allows on each particular day that will be enough.
One request I’ve made to the Lord multiple times is for me to be healed so I can do ministry for Him. Although, in asking this I’ve missed the ministry He has for me here. While being homebound may limit my location, it does not limit me from glorifying and serving the Lord. The Lord has given me a beautiful love story with Him, and a love for words to share it. I used to think the ideal way to serve Jesus was for me to jet off to Africa and spend my days serving folks there. However, while ministry there is certainly needed, my ministry here is just as important because this is God’s will for me. Lately the phrase “bloom where you are planted” keeps coming to mind, and that is what I intend to do in 2017. Also, the other day in my quiet time I came across Nehemiah 4:14. I’ve read the verse many times, but I needed it this weekas I have been thinking about the year ahead. It states, “Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious! ” No matter what comes my way, I have no need to fear because the Lord who is great and glorious will protect me. All Jesus desires for me to do is delight and trust in Him, and He will take care of the rest.
I look forward to growing deeper in my relationship with Jesus in 2017, and for all He is going to teach me. I also look forward to seeing how He uses my writing and ministry for His good and glory.
I want to close with the Bible passages that have become my banner and theme verses for the year. I hope and you will join me on the journey to commit and delight in Him as well!
“Trust in the Lord and do good, dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust in Him, and He will act.” ~Psalm 37:3-5
“Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious! ”~ Nehemiah 4:14
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