I don't think I ever put the last of the Christmas decorations away without a certain feeling of nostalgia, and today as I finished this task was no different. Another Christmas come and gone... and another year as well. 2011 was a good year. It brought much laughter and memories, just a few tears and lessons learned, and as always MUCH answered prayer. My youngest son was made the senior pastor of his church. My daughter gave birth to her first son. My husband got a new job and the Lord is blessing his efforts. I got another clean bill of health. My mom continues to move along and has not had another stroke. My step-dad is still with us his despite the ugly cancer that grows in his body. My husband celebrated 60 years on this earth. I could go on and on with the list that the Lord has blessed us with, but for now I will stop with these. 2012 lies ahead of us now waiting for it's pages to be filled with our lives. There is always a certain feeling of excitement for me, mixed with feelings of uncertainty and wonder. What will this new year hold? One thing I know for sure is no matter what may come, the Lord will be with us, the one constant and unchanging thing we can always count on. My desire for this new year is that I might know Him in a deeper and more meaningful way. I pray that He finds ways to use me for His glory. I pray that I might love others as He does. And I pray as we begin this year, that I press on, filling the pages of my life, running the race He sets before me with diligence and grace.
Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever!
Hebrews 12:1...let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnare us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us..
1 Cor 9:24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.
1 John 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
1 John 4: 16...God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in Him.
I treasure my on-line friends, and ask the Lord to bless each and every one of you with His richest blessings in this coming New year! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
Amen..amen!!! Yes God is with us. I too got teary-eyed as I took everything down..so many Christmas memories..all good, but I hate to see it go, then I also enjoy how neat the house looks again.
ReplyDeleteBlessings this year..I look forward to stopping by and seeing what all God has planned for you...I know it will include all those wonderful weekends you seem to master.
As always I am so blessed Debbie, as I read each blessing you listed, I am saying Yes! yes! i remember, what an Awesome God we serve.
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to taking this New Year's walk with my friends here in blogland too.
Thank you for taking the time to invite me into your home, and for sharing your heart.
Wishing you and your family the most blessed and happiest New year.
Hugs,
Sue
Have a very Happy New Year! Hope this coming year is a good one for us all!!
ReplyDeleteI wish the same for you my friend. I look forward to watching and reading more about your lovely life. You do and have blessed me in 2011 and I look forward to the 2012 knowing I have friends like you who love the Lord, it is so nice that we have the gift of knowing " new family." We don't have to wait until heaven. :)
ReplyDeleteBlessings for a wonderful 2012 Debbie.
This was a beautiful post! May the Lord rain His blessings down on your family in the coming year! Happy New Year Debbie!
ReplyDeleteHi Debbie, As with your other blogging buddies, I agree wholeheartedly. If God is for us, who can be against us?! I treasure you dear one and am so blessed by your blog-keep on girl, you encourage so many.
ReplyDeleteLove and blessings, Noreen
Today I removed all the razzle-dazzled & bling from our house, too. Everything looks so blah compared to the merry, twinkling bedazzlements of Christmas.
ReplyDeleteBring on 2012! I'm read & eager.
Wishing you & yours a rich new year, full of blessings & praise.
Kathleen
You are such a blessing Debbie! I love how you share about your year and how God has been so good. 2011 was a challenging year for me but as you said, many lessons learned.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you and your family!
Blessings and love,
Debbie
Happy New Year, Debbie! It's almost here now and I am looking forward to it with excitement for what the Lord is going to do in and through His church! Enjoyed your post and I am also sort of sad today at having to take down all the beauty of Christmas decor. Oh well, gives us next year to look forward to.
ReplyDeleteHugs!
Happy New Year, Deb!! Hope yours is simply GRAND!!! With Christ, everyday is a joy no matter what it may hold, huh??
ReplyDeleteLove ya,
Becky
Amen! I'm so glad I've gotten to know you during this past year and look forward to getting to know you even better during 2012. Wishing you and yours a blessed 2012!
ReplyDeleteHi Debbie, Happy New Year to you!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading about the joys you had in 2011. I hope you have many more in twenty twelve.
Your new header is great...you are really talented..I have no clue how to do that...well time for me to learn some more from all your inspiring bloggers
ReplyDeleteHope you are having a good Monday
Standing with you ready to run in 2012. I wasn't "ready" to say that much before now, but this morning, I'm getting up off my knees and ready to face the year.
ReplyDeleteOK, maybe I'm really just ready to face the day, but you have to start somewhere!
Happy New Year!
Amen from Texas! All these scriptures are so precious. I am excited about 2012, and while it is always sad to un-do the glitter and beauty of Christmas... it is done here too, back in bins in the garage, and looking forward!
ReplyDeletexo