Victory

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.