Happy New Year!

Here it is, 365 days since my very first post on this blog. So many things have happened and though 2016 has been rough on a lot of people, I feel like it has been pretty decent for our household. I feel like we have accomplished a lot, as a family, as a couple, as a small business, and as workers for the Lord. I am really excited that I managed to get this blog up every Saturday morning but 2, in the last year. Those two were a planned little respite, and I probably should have worked harder to put something out there, but I had some issues to deal with and it was easier to just give me time to adjust. I know God knows we are human, and there are some situations that just take longer for us to have that "It is Well with My Soul" moment.




I was looking up verses this morning on looking back and I found a couple that I thought I would share.


Isaiah 42:18-19a says, "Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it?




and


Ecclesiastes 7:10: "Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this."


So, even though there are days it is fun to look back at the past and see where we have been, we never want to get stuck there, and we always remember, it is much more important to be looking forward.


I have so many goals for 2017, I am an organizational freak, and the one thing every organizational freak I know wants more than anything, is to be more organized, so I am working on being more organized this year. I always think it is good to set goals for ourselves, but never get so set on your goals that you don't pay attention to God's goals for us, and I am sure he has them,


Jeremiah 29:11 says, "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."


So, I am looking forward to a year of coming closer to God, and seeing what He has planned. I have been reminded just this week that God can take us through valleys pretty quickly, but I am praying for a year of more mountaintops than valleys, I pray that for my friends, family, and readers as well.


When I was younger, we always had watch night service at church and would be praying as the new year actually came in, I miss those days. I miss that it seems there are so many other places to be on so many occasions other than church. I have decided though, that even though I am normally asleep by 9:30, I am going to set an alarm for 11:45, just in case I fall asleep. I have decided to bring the new year in with prayer for my friends, my family, our nation, and our world. I encourage you to do the same.


May you have a blessed last day of 2016 and a blessed 2017.


I think I have it in me to commit to another year of my Saturday morning blogs, so I will see you all next week!


I kinda find it fitting to leave the song from my very first blog post with you again today. Still one of my absolute favorites.....