New

How fitting!

For this new year,
our dear friend called to let us know,
she thinks it will be soon! (She is 9mo. pregnant)

As joy filled my heart,
prayers filled my mind.

Prayer for the new little one.
Prayer for the parents.
Prayer for the toddlers blessed with a new sibling.
Prayer for strength,
health,
wisdom,
grace,
and most of all for God’s hand.

Since He created this new sweet baby,
I know He has a plan,
a purpose,
and a desire to be in relationship with him.

Because only God can create life.

Only God can truly see all in store for him.

The same is true for us.

As we look forward to a new year,
let us be guided by Him.

Let us know only His plans are trustworthy.

Only He knows what is ahead.

Only resting on Him daily will guide us into the future, one step at a time.

The only things which will last are the ones worth focusing on, yet even the mundane tasks can have eternal significance.

As you look for the future in the change of the calendar,
may your heart be filled with joy,
and your mind with prayer.

Happy New Year!

Finishing well

The year is drawing to a close.

As it approaches the automatic response is to skip forward to next year, or to spend time in reflection.

Yet the last few days between old and new should be alive with the present.

If there was a reminder to live in each day it should be these.

Why?

Because as the year changes, the obvious comes into focus.

There is no going back.

Once a day is past, it’s gone.

Once a week has completed, it’s over.

Once the calendar changes, it’s finished.

Since the only change which can occur is in today let’s, value each one, live it.

“I’ll learn to control my temper when…”

“After the holidays I’m going to be sure to drop her a card. ”

“Why start on being organized during all the busy? I’ll get to it right after the New Year.”

Yet it is today which holds the keys to the future.

If we are unwilling to change today, what makes us think we will change tomorrow?

There’s no responsibility in tomorrow.

If some changes are in order,
if you simply know of an area in need,
if an item or two in your heart is pressing,
finish 2014 well,
by dealing with it today.

Live,
each moment because today is all you have
Love,
those around you more than yourself because they too are created by God and He died for each and every one
Laugh,
but not at others, instead include people in your life and love and you might suddenly find laughter is so much sweeter when shared.

Most of all,
be thankful.

Today is really a gift.