Time to Look Back and Forward

 

 

     Happy New Years.  Today is the day that I look at all God has done for me over the year.  This year has been the year that He has lined up all my dreams to come true.  I sometimes wish it was like a fairy tail and everything falls into place in one night.  Real life is rarely like that, so I chose to look at the delays as time spent with loved ones.  A time to learn, grow, and appreciate the beauty that is all around me. 

     Today I go back to January 2014 and remember having a job that treats me well, respects me.  I remember going to SIMstart to see if I was a good fit with that mission organization and vise versa.  I remember the elation of being approved and diving right into my studies.  I remember all that I learned and how God has been changing my heart to look more like His this year.  In May I went to SIMGo and got prepared for the part of the mission journey that I am on now.  It has required faith that I never had to display before.  It has been tiresome, exciting, and joyfull.  All in all, 2014, has treated me well.

     Looking at 2015, I am selling my house in January to be a step closer to my dream of serving God full time.  I will be able to submerge my life into being about Him in a way that has not been offered to me before.  The slow process has been good for my family.  I have emotionally, mentally, and spiritually been preparing myself for years.  To the family it is different.   I am going into a world that they cannot protect me.  It changes their world in a very different way, so this time is good to give them time for God to prepare them for their life change too. 

      Sunday, my pastor challenged the church to make a list of everything they are grateful for, for all God has done in and around their lives.  I am now challenging you.  It is good to see in writing how much He loves and you it will give you an opportunity to rejoice in His glory. 

 

"Thank (God) in everything (no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks), for this is the will of God for you (who are) in Christ (the revealer and mediator of that will)."

1 Thessalonians 5:18