It was weird... I awoke this morning excited that last year was over and a new one awaits. I thought to myself, today begins a new experience, I can do things differently than I did last year. I think I'll exercise more this year, maybe even lose a little weight. I'll see if I can't get grounded back in church again, I miss being at home in church. I heard today on CNN that this last year in the stock market was the worst performance of stocks since the depression! We saw over $4.00 a gallon for gasoline this year! This last year Eric, my son, got out of jail and he's doing well now and we can put all that behind us for good. I relocated with my career and we're finally settling in with all that. When I think about this last year... I'm kind of overwhelmed with all that has changed within the life of my family, but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. This year I hope will bring with it some stability. I'm not so sure that life has periods of stability anymore. Times have changed... we live in a very fast paced world. Changes in technology alone keep things in turmoil. Last years computer becomes obsolete this year. Just look at cell phones, everyone has to have the latest and greatest. We even have to laws in place to keep us from texting while driving, because we're not smart enough to realize texting while driving can kill us when we crash! We also demand urgency from everything we do... to sit and relax makes us feel guilty for some reason? We always feel that we should be doing something, or we're just not keeping up.
It was weird... because after all these thoughts I realized that there's no magic in New Years day. It's just another day. But for some reason we use it as an ending and a new beginning point. It's certainly become a time for reflection and a time to look at results from the previous year. But even so, I think it's important to always remember. To change or to look ahead can begin with any new day, not just the New Years day. My hope is that I don't return to the ruts I've established over time, but keep moving forward and improving with each day. But if I don't, and I fall back into the rut of a bogged down life. Tomorrow is always a new day, and with that brings new life, new hopes, and new dreams.
I'm so thankful for what God has given me, but even more so, I'm thankful for what God has promised me for the future. With God anything can happen. Each new day should be looked upon with excitement and thanksgiving as we partake in whatever God has planned for us. The good news... God is always with us, he will never leave us or forsake us. With each challenge we face, we're not alone. As a matter of fact we really never know how bad things could have been if it hadn't been for God's hand upon us. So when we think we've had a tough year, we need to always remember, it could be so much worse. I hope this year is better, but even so, There is a lot to be thankful for this last year when we overlook the negative.
I hope you all have a very Happy New years day celebration, but more importantly I hope this next year will be one that we can all reflect on with great joy. I know many fell upon tough time this last year. Let's start over. Let's all just make one commitment rather than a whole list of resolutions and then let's see how it goes from there. Begin every new day with a focus on God and let's see where the rest of the day takes us from there. It could change our whole perspective on how we see things and the outcome or results. This verse says it all...
Matthew 6:33
(33) But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
It was weird... because after all these thoughts I realized that there's no magic in New Years day. It's just another day. But for some reason we use it as an ending and a new beginning point. It's certainly become a time for reflection and a time to look at results from the previous year. But even so, I think it's important to always remember. To change or to look ahead can begin with any new day, not just the New Years day. My hope is that I don't return to the ruts I've established over time, but keep moving forward and improving with each day. But if I don't, and I fall back into the rut of a bogged down life. Tomorrow is always a new day, and with that brings new life, new hopes, and new dreams.
I'm so thankful for what God has given me, but even more so, I'm thankful for what God has promised me for the future. With God anything can happen. Each new day should be looked upon with excitement and thanksgiving as we partake in whatever God has planned for us. The good news... God is always with us, he will never leave us or forsake us. With each challenge we face, we're not alone. As a matter of fact we really never know how bad things could have been if it hadn't been for God's hand upon us. So when we think we've had a tough year, we need to always remember, it could be so much worse. I hope this year is better, but even so, There is a lot to be thankful for this last year when we overlook the negative.
I hope you all have a very Happy New years day celebration, but more importantly I hope this next year will be one that we can all reflect on with great joy. I know many fell upon tough time this last year. Let's start over. Let's all just make one commitment rather than a whole list of resolutions and then let's see how it goes from there. Begin every new day with a focus on God and let's see where the rest of the day takes us from there. It could change our whole perspective on how we see things and the outcome or results. This verse says it all...
Matthew 6:33
(33) But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Happy New Year Steve, Brenda & Family! We miss you all at Northside Baptist Church. Please consider stopping by when you are unsure of what local church to visit. A new permanent "home" church is hard to decide upon. May you be blessed abundantly in 2009.
ReplyDeleteThe Crouch Family from NBC