It’s popular this time of year for TV specials to review the past 12 months and remind us of all the events that occurred. I did something similar on January 1st and looked at my own year in review. Every morning during my quiet time I keep a journal, jotting down what I’ve been doing, what I’m praying for, and any insights that God shows me as I read my Bible. Sometimes it’s easy to miss the miraculous in the details of daily living, but as I re-read my journal for 2014, God’s hand became amazingly clear.
His answers to prayer, for instance. I began the year with many pleas for guidance as my husband prepared to retire from his job after 22 years. All the details of his retirement seemed overwhelming to me a year ago and occupied my prayers: selling our home, packing and purging and cleaning, moving to a new home in a new state, enduring financial changes, leaving friends and family behind. But here we are, settled-in and thriving, enjoying the changes, and thanking God for bringing us here. All that worry—for nothing!
There were prayers for family members too, chief among them for our son to find a job after earning his PhD in May. It was a nail-biter and the waiting seemed endless, but in God’s perfect timing a job opened up for him at the beginning of the college year, one he is enjoying immensely. Looking back at answered prayers gives me faith to believe that God will answer my future prayers too, in the year ahead.
On January 1, 2014, I wrote: “A brand new year. I can’t imagine what it will bring, but I’ll trust in God. I long to live intentionally, to enjoy life every day, and not simply mark time on a calendar or check off a to-do list.” Little did I know all the places I would go or how much I would need to trust Him! In March I traveled on a speaking tour to the Netherlands. When I returned I wrote, “God gave me strength and His words to speak. He is able to do more than we can ever ask or imagine.” I also spoke at Sandy Cove Retreat Center in Maryland, and went on a wonderful speaking tour in Germany in June. In my journal I recalled how terrified I used to be of public speaking and of flying. “I wonder how often my fear and doubt have caused me to miss the good things God planned for me,” I wrote. “If I had remained fearful of speaking and flying, I would have missed the blessings of serving Him in these amazing places.” I used to have so much fear—when all along, God held my life in His faithful hand.
As 2014 drew to a close, I wrote on December 31: “This has been a year of so many changes and new beginnings! Lord, help me to change in the days ahead and become more and more like Jesus.” And when I think about it, maybe that’s what the trials and challenges we face are really all about—teaching us to trust our Savior and to become more and more like Him. As a New Year begins, I pray that God will help me replace worry and fear with faith and trust in Him.
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It’s so true! When we reflect back on God’s faithfulness in the past, it reminds us how much we can trust him with our future. Loved your post, Lynn.
Thanks Becky. I hope your year is a great one!
Lynn: Left reviews on keepers of the Covenant a few days ago. Left them at Good Reads, Amazon, B&N, Christian Books, Deeper Shopping and http://www.bookfun.org. Thanks to you and your publisher for being a part of the http://www.bookfun.org group and letting us have a chance to read your books. I had never read yours until I read “Return To Me”. Gave both books 5 stars. You are now one of my favorite authors. Thanks again & wishing you and yours a blessed New Year.
Thanks so much, Pat! I really appreciate your help. Have a wonderful New Year.
Have a Happy and Successful New Year. May you see your goals for 2015 come to pass. Perhaps you will share them with us all this time next year.
God Bless you and happy writing.
Shirley
Great idea, Shirley. It can become a yearly New Year’s tradition. Thanks!
Thank you, Lynn, for opening your personal journal to us. It has inspired me to take out that “Thankful” journal that I bought to use last year and pen my own heart’s prayers, joys, sorrows, desires, blessings in 2015.
May blessings continue to follow your footsteps!
Thanks so much. I hope you have many, many things to be thankful for this year, Sandy. Blessings!
Loved this review of 2014, Lynn. And I’m still so grateful you and I got to hang in Germany together for a few days last summer. Memories I’ll carry for a lifetime, friend. “Vashbears” especially. Kels and I still laugh about that.
Ha! I forgot about the Vashbears! And the weasels that tried to eat Christian’s car! And every time I step out of an elevator I hear your voice saying, “Don’t leave me . . . !”
Loved this post, Lynn – – some great reminders about trusting God that we can all use.
So glad your *busy* year went well! 🙂
Blessings on your 2015.
Hugs, Patti Jo
Hi Lynn, I too have a fear of flying ! I used to fly all the time and then my store was broken into and I lost everything ! Yrs, i had insurance but i was in the jewelry business and pawn shop business so it was a cash business p!us an inside burglary by my mgr ! I started having panic attacks so I have stopped flying and driving on frwys! I guess a feel of being closed in ! I can’t just pull over !
It has kept me from living I’m feel ,I am on an island in Palm Springs,Calif. I just never try because i don’t want to feel like i am going to pass out and hurt somneone or me !
i am a great driver too ! So this year I will focus on my two fears which are wrecking my life i vcan’t even visit my daughter who lives two hrs away and I could be serving God which I should be ! So thank you very much for writing the truth on your blog ! I am so happy you got over your fear of public speaking and flying ! Praise the Lord!:) BTW, I have every boo! You have everv written I think ! I get SO much out of your books also so thank you !:) God Bless you and your family ! Congrats to your son for earning his PhD and also on getting a great career !
Love, your Sister in Christ,
Darlene Lindstrom
Luvnheal@gmail.com