January 1.
The time to make resolutions.
The time to reflect on life.
The time to decide who you are and where you are going.
The time to look back and see where you have come from.
The time to see your mistakes and grow from them.
The time to change.
Why January 1 carries with it such a load of hope, change, freshness, and possibility is, I'm sure, tied to the fact that it opens up a whole new year - fresh, beautiful - with no mistakes in it. It is stretching out before you like a road that has never been traveled. One that has no footprints. Not a road less traveled, but a road not traveled at all. And next January 1, you will be able to look back on the traveled road and look ahead to the untraveled one. But we, of course, should look to the past and learn from what God has taught us through our trials and through our joys. And looking ahead, we rejoice in the things that will transpire to bring us closer to our glorious Savior. But knowing, too, that we are destined to have trouble, but our Jesus has overcome this world.
Today I was reflecting, via a conversation with my mother, about the last few weeks and some things that have been going on for all of the last year. It was hard, sad, and yet refreshing because my mother reminded me over and over again that God is faithful. He is. Always. His character is good. His character is love. He always works in everything for the good of me. That is what my God is. He is faithful through the good and the bad. He is Lord over all. He knows what has happened, what is happening, and what will happen. I may not like all of it. I may not understand any of it. But He knows. He works it all for His glory. He is faithful.
In the last year, my Luke and I have had our share of troubles. But we have also had our share of joys. And thinking back over all of those days - 365 to be exact - I can see God's hand and His faithfulness.
In the last year, my Luke and I celebrated one beautiful year of marriage. Oh what a glorious gift to be married to my best friend - to the man who loves me more than I can even imagine - to the man who puts me first, who protects me, defends me, cherishes me, shows me a picture of Christ. That alone is enough for me to say "God, You are awesome!" And even in the midst of hardship, God has provided me with the best partner, the best leader to get me through it all.
God is faithful. May that be the cry of my heart this coming year. As I look back at those footprints behind me - the two sets - I will say "God, You are faithful!" And looking ahead at the fresh, clean, beautiful road stretching before me, with no mistakes or problems - yet - and with no knowledge of where that road, with God as the guide, will take my Luke and me, I will cry "God, You are faithful!"
May the cry of my heart continue to be "God is faithful" through the big and the small. Through the thick and the thin. Through the snow and the shine. Through everything. I will choose to say "God is faithful."
I'm excited to see God prove that He is faithful through this next year. And I'd love to take you all along for the ride!
God is faithful!
P.S. Oh - and back to resolutions:
I resolve to blog more.
Betcha didn't see that one coming!
