A NEW YEAR’S PRAYER

May God make your year a happy one!

Not by shielding you from all sorrows and pain, but by strengthening you to bear it, as it comes;

Not by making your path easy, but by making you sturdy to travel any path;

Not by taking hardships from you, but by taking fear from your heart;

Not by granting you unbroken sunshine, but by keeping your face bright, even in the shadows;

Not by making your life always pleasant, but by showing you when people and their causes need you most, and by making you anxious to be there to help.

God’s love, peace, hope and joy to you for the year ahead.                         Anonymous 

“May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.”                              Psalm 20:4

Wishing you a blessed New Year,
Sue

A NEW YEAR–A NEW BEGINNING

“Do not remember the past events, pay no attention to things of old.  Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming.  Do you not see it?  Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.”  (Isaiah 43:18-19)  As I reflect on 2010, both the good and the not so good, I choose not to dwell on the past – but to look forward with great expectancy to the “new that is coming”.  Perhaps 2010 brought a season of wilderness into your life, but God’s Word tells us He will make a way in the wilderness. 


“You [God] crown the year with Your goodness; Your ways overflow with abundance.”   (Psalm 65:11)  I pray that God will go before each of you this year and that you will experience peace, prosperity and an abundance of His presence. 

I gave up making New Year’s resolutions years ago – I found that I often did not keep them anyway.  But this year I have chosen to make two commitments.  I am committing to read through the Bible this year; and I am committing to memorize Scripture – two verses or passages each month.  I realize that these are commitments that in my own power I probably would end up not keeping.  But Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.”  So I move forward with confidence, that I will be able to succeed, because I am committing this to the Lord. 

As I reflect on 2010, one of the good things I rejoice over is the friendships I have made through blogland.  Just a few short months ago I set aside my fear of the unknown and started this blog.  And I am so glad I did.  You, my friends and followers, have blessed and enriched my life with your encouragement, support, talents, and creativity.  Thank you for being a part of my life and allowing me to be a part of yours.

Have a blessed New Year,
Sue