Thursday, December 30, 2010

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I have spent some time in the last few days reflecting back over this last year. I found myself reading back over my own blog posts as it is really a pretty good record of not only what went on, but where my heart and spirit were as well. I was amazed at times how much I felt I learned about the Lord and remembered my deep desire to share just as much as I could with all of you. I also was reminded how much I have learned from you, and how inadequate I felt in comparison sometimes to some of the deep truths that many of you were able to convey. Your knowledge of the scriptures and your ability to relate them to our everyday lives both inspired and encouraged me to want to know more. I’ve prayed that the Lord might give me a verse to claim for this year, or a word to focus on, and truthfully that is still a work in progress. But I do know this. I am not who I want to be. I am pretty sure I can count on that never being accomplished until the day I draw my last breath here on this earth as nothing more than a mere human being. God is FAR from finished with me. There is much work to be done. I take a few steps forward only to find myself still falling into old patterns and ways. I’ve gained back most of the weight I lost and will have to begin AGAIN (and not that I ever got to where I was supposed to be in the first place). I still worry and fret at times over things I have no control over. My tongue has yet to be tamed, and I know I have experienced many moments of envy and jealousy over at times what might be considered to be unlikely by most. I am sure many of you would be surprised over what might bring this particular emotion out in me, haha


2010 was a difficult year for me. It brought my first bout ever of pneumonia, a diagnosis of breast cancer, a double mastectomy, and a move out of our home of almost 25 years. I have found myself in a senior citizens park and I am STILL surprised that I am indeed old enough to be here. ; ) I am still missing my ONLY daughter who lives 1000 miles away from me; and the knowledge that she will bring her family up not living close enough for me to be involved in their everyday life, still saddens me. The arthritis in my knees has progressed to the point that knee replacement surgery is a certainty just as soon as I get enough weight off to do it; and in the meantime I hobble everywhere I go, and in quite a bit of pain as well. My mother had a stroke, and the passing of the years has been hammered home in a very real way. There are other stories that have directly involved me and my family that were sooo difficult to deal with I can’t even really explain them, and are WAY too personal to share. Yes, a difficult year….

And yet!! I can tell you with a moment’s hesitation of the faithfulness of our God. He has walked ever so patiently with me through every trial, hardship and sadness. He has put a joy in my heart that can only come from knowing Him. A peace down deep in my soul that surpasses anything this world has to offer. The knowledge (through His Son and His work on the cross) of where my eternity will be spent brings me comfort and hope. This world and our journey’s here are indeed only temporary. While we live here on this earth we are NOT promised lives that are free of the hardships of life. But we are promised His love, His forgiveness, His mercy, His grace, and His salvation. 2011 is upon us. I pray that this next year will bring me closer to Him, and that I might be willing and ready to be used in any way He might see fit to use me. My biggest goal of this year is to love others the way He loves them. Sounds easy enough in some ways, but to love as He loves can only be accomplished but allowing His Holy Spirit to dwell in us in such a way that He lives through us, and we have NO choice but to love as He would love. HAPPY NEW YEAR to you all, and may the Lord richly bless you in this coming year.

1 John 4:7-8 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God, and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.


To join the other Spiritual Sunday posts click HERE....It is a wonderful way to start the New Year!  Soo many thanks to Charlotte and Ginger for hosting this wonderful event every Sunday.

22 comments:

  1. Dearest Debbie, I loved reading this and your heart concerning all you walked through this year. You may think you don't have depth that others do but girl I'm here to tell you that you underestimate yourself!
    You have such courage-going through so many life changes at once; either moving or cancer would have been enough to throw most people for a tisie but you did both; I stand and salute you my friend. I, of course, love your momma/grandma heart too.
    Thank you for being an encourager to so many and sharing life with us!
    Hugs and much love,
    Noreen

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  2. This post was definitely from your heart. I love what Noreen said, it is perfect. You definitely had a hard year Debbie, many life changing events and I think you handled everything beautifully. I think you are a bit hard on yourself. You are an inspiration to many. I hope that 2011 is a much easier year for you. Love you Debbie!

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  3. Thank you for sharing your heart. God did some hard things in your life last year, but the best part is that you are still praising him and seeing all of the good though it. It really blesses me deeply because as John Bunyan said, " I am on the bottom and the ground is firm." Just as when Jeremiah was thrown in the well, God was still there. I think you can put a big bow on 2010 and say that God was always there.
    I was reflecting about my daughters life this morning and 2010 God has thrown every hard test at her and yet, last night I could see the fruit and that again, God never left them and I think their marriage in 2011 will be the stronger for it.
    I am thankful for your friendship and I look forward to growing in Christ with you this year.
    Blessings, to you and your family

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  4. Hello Debbie, I don't remember how I found your blog, I just did ! !
    Sounds like 2010 had some rough edges for you, I am so glad that you have a relationship with our Father. He is the hope of our lives and He never forsakes us. Praying a Happy and Healthy New Year for you and your family.
    Your grandkiddos are beautiful.
    Mary
    www.visitswithmary.blogspot.com

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  5. I always love coming here, and I always leave having learned more about myself and the Lord. You have always encouraged me and it has caused me to want a deeper relationship with the Lord.
    In fact, you were the topic of conversation I was having with a friend who reads your post...she will get me for this, she never comments, but she talked about how much she loved you and enjoyed your writings. She said, "she is someone I would enjoy being a friend with." We both agreed!!

    So, I have been blessed by you...of course your blog was one of the ones I said thank you to on my post on looking back.

    Happy New Year...I look forward to seeing God heal those knees!! and allowing you more wonderful weekends with your precious family!!! Thank you, thank you!!

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  6. Debbie,
    What a blessing you are, and for sharing your heart! Reading the whole year in one post, re emphasized to me your strong faith in God! I stand back in awe and say WOW!.... Girl, I am so GLad I know you!!!
    Happy New Year dear Friend,
    Hugs, Sue

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  7. If you or I had known on the front side of 2010 what we would have been facing, I'm afraid we'd have fainted with fright! So glad our Father holds such knowledge and that we can simply let it unfold as it does. Here's praying that your 2011 will be filled with all the joy, favor, and love of heaven. I'm glad that our paths have intersected in this season.

    Happy New Year.

    peace~elaine

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  8. I am so glad you came to my
    blog that day recently, dear
    Debbie. I might never have
    had the joy of getting to
    know you otherwise. I had no
    idea of all you had been
    through in 2010. God bless
    your sweet heart. You are
    a strong woman and I know
    you will only grow stronger
    in Him as the years go by.
    I'm with Janette-Lord touch
    Debbie's knees in the name
    of Jesus!
    Love,
    Sandy

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  9. Sweet Debbie,
    Oh, what a year it has been for you and your family! I rejoice with you for God's goodness and mercy to you, and I praise the Lord that you are a testimony to His faithfulness. God bless you for that!!

    I know it must be so hard to live far away from your only daughter. I live far from my Mom as well and I wish she could be a daily part of our children's lives. It's wonderful when she visits, but the visits are always too short. :)

    My Mom started having physical therapy done for her knee in preparation for a knee replacement, and you know what? It has helped SO much that she doesn't think she needs the replacement done now. She's walking so much better. Would PT be a possible option?

    God bless you as you live intentionally for His glory. I'm thankful to have met you this year. You are an encouragement to me.

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  10. Beautiful, Debbie. May the New Year find you healthy and prosperous, and doing the will of God.

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  11. You're right. Whether we keep journals or even reading from our own blog posts, there is no mistake! We see His faithfulness no matter what road we're walking on. Thank you for raising my spirit with your visit and always encouraging me. You bless me sister and Happy New Year! May this coming year be filled with even richer blessings from our good Lord! God bless.

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  12. hi debbie.

    i'm sorry this was such a tough year. you
    displayed such grace and faith throughout.
    i pray that this next year will be full of His
    grace, joy, and health!

    love,
    lea

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  13. You said, "I am not who I want to be", but just remember....you are not who you once were either! He's doing wonderful things in you, Debbie! When I read through all He's brought you through this past year, I'm reminded to tell you that you're still here, aren't you? You didn't give up. You persevered and He saw you through. And I am glad He has because I feel blessed by your posts. I am so thankful to the Lord for friends such as you here in blogland....for the humor, the tears, the heartache, the love, the humility, and the humanity that sharing our lives with one another through His grace. You may not realize it, but you touch lives here, dear friend. And I consider myself blessed to know you. I am praying for all the trials you face & look forward to your 2012 reflections of how far you've come in overcoming them. Love & hugs ~ Merana

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  14. wow Debbie...you have been through sooo much. I used to see just my own pain and the tough stuff I was trying to deal with but I've come to know how all of us go through our own hard times. Wishing you His absolute best for twenty eleven....only good things....Your words in some way touched me deeply...

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  15. Deb,
    What a year you've had, but what protection and provision God has given. Ohh, we are works in progress aren't we. Keep pressing on sweet sister. Pressing in toward Him. What a blessing and a privilege it has been getting to know you this past year. You continue to encourage my heart each time I stop by.

    May God lessen the pain you have each day in your knee, may He fill the void in your heart with your daughter so far away, and may He richly pour out His love and grace upon you each step of the way!

    Much love to you,
    Stacy

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  16. Debbie, May this New Year bring many opportunities your way,to explore every joy of life and may your resolutions for the days ahead stay firm,turning all your dreams into reality and all your efforts into great achievement.
    New Year is the time to unfold new horizons & realize new dreams,to rediscover the strength & faith within you,to rejoice in simple pleasures and gear up for new challenges, with the help of God.
    Wishing you a truly fulfilling BRIGHT new year!
    God Bless,
    Virginia

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  17. Oh, Debbie, thank you so much for sharing this from your heart. I think you have a very beautiful way of expressing yourself, and I think there are many of us who relate so well with what you wrote today!
    Our pastor ended his message today by saying exactly what you just ended with,
    "Our main goal should be to learn to love. . .like Jesus did!"
    Happy New Year to you! I am continuing to pray for you!

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  18. I love new chapters! I also know the Lord is drawing us all to deeper-and-deeper levels of commitment to Him and His ways. You can be sure the year now unfolding will be filled with opportunities for growth.

    Wishing you & yours blessings throughout,

    Kathleen

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  19. I try to always remember "If He leads me to it He will lead me through it" but at times it is a "why me Lord" feeling but all we can do is trust and know He is in control and would not harm us. A new year and new beginnings are a clean slate.

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  20. It was great to hear what you have been through this past year and yet to see your trust in the Lord and His Faithfulness.

    Loved your picture in the header.

    May your New Year hold many joys,
    Janis

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  21. Oh Debbie,
    We share so many of life's challenges and losses. I will be praying for you and your knees. Remember that I did both at once in 2003 even with a huge amount of extra weight on me.
    How I miss my daughter and family too. Well, now that we are facing unemployment, perhaps GOD will move us closer. =)
    Let's keep in touch dear one and oh, come by and a comment on motherdaughtertango.blogspot.com
    to participate in my first ever give-a-way!

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  22. well I'm still catching up on blog reading and just read this post Debbie. I'm sure you were happy to turn the page of the calendar into a new year and I pray that it will be full of hope for you. Something that really caught my eye was that you said your biggest goal for this year is to love others the way God loves them. That was also my stated goal for the new year!! May HE have full reign on our hearts and perfect our spiritual vision! Blessings to you!

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I am so glad that you would take the time to comment on my thoughts and feelings, it is such a blessing to me!