Here we are at the end of another year. They certainly seem to roll around fast, don’t they? As you reflect on 2018 I hope you keep the happy memories and discard the unpleasant ones. There isn’t any need to take bad things into a brand new year. Let’s hope only good things for 2019.
With the New Year comes hope. Hope that it will be better than the last one. More importantly, hope that I will be better than I was. Are you like me and often think “if I could do that over” or “if I could just say that again” things would be much better. Unfortunately we aren’t able to go back, we can only learn from our mistakes and go forward and hope we do better.
What things did 2018 teach you? It taught me a multitude of eye-opening, heart warming things. Perhaps age has much to do with that. With age comes wisdom, right? To begin with, when I ask God to forgive me I need to accept His forgiveness and also forgive myself. No need to ask again. It is done. No dwelling on it. Does this sound familiar to anyone?
God places friends in our lives. He might put them in our childhood neighborhood or school because we will need prayer partners later in life. Maybe he will gather them in groups or at work. He knows who we need long before the need arises. This year I have prayed for and been prayed over by many friends, old and new. Trust the people God places in your life to help you.
I have learned that I am not too old to try new things and succeed. Trying something new is a bit scary, but with support from friends and family it was a lot easier. God blessed the venture and is so good.
I also learned there can be joy through tears. My precious daughter suffered a miscarriage this Autumn. My world was devastated. I mourned the loss of that grandchild fiercely and oftentimes still do. During my prayers one night I realized that while I won’t see that child here on Earth, she will be waiting in Heaven for us.
Each year God has been giving me and my prayer partner words for the upcoming year. One individual and one for us. Our word is victory. What a strong, triumphant word. I cannot even think of it without singing the hymn “Victory in Jesus”. Yes, He sought me and bought me. Thank you, Lord Jesus.
My word is hope. Ahhhhhhhh, hope. How calming and reassuring. My mind goes straight to the scripture Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Now friends, that is hope.
What is your hope for 2019? Peace, health, prosperity, family unity? Oh, I have so many, but I will be satisfied letting God be in control and directing me.
Happy New Year to you and yours! I hope it brings you closer to God.
Are you enjoying the Advent Season? Is your life filled with joy or stress? This time before Christmas should be a time to reflect and prepare our hearts for the great gift that our Heavenly Father sent to us…..His Son, Jesus, our Savior, God with us. Sometimes it is hard to do amidst the hustle and bustle of buying presents, sending cards, making cookies, decorating and all of the other preparations we think we need to do.
The authors, Shirley Crowder and Harriet E. Michael are lifelong friends whose parents served as missionaries in Nigeria, West Africa. Their friendship has spanned across two continents, numerous states, and many, many years. Learn more about them at 
their three teen aged children. She began her writing journey in August of 2014 with her debut novel “What God Brings Together”. She decided to give writing a try after she shared a story that nagged at her with a friend. Unsure in her own abilities to craft a story she plunged ahead anyway. After reading the first draft of that first book, she then understood that God had a much bigger plan. “God does not give his children a desire just so that it can go to waste.” Since then, she has added three more novels and taken part in two anthologies. Melissa also has a review blog and is a contributing blogger for Heart”wings” Blog.
Inspirational author Rachel J. Good writes life-changing, heart-tugging novels of faith, hope, and forgiveness. The author of several Amish romance series, she grew up near Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the setting for many of her stories. Striving to be as authentic as possible, she spends time with her Amish friends, doing chores on their farm and attending family events.
Abba's Prayer Warrior Princess 