Generally, I am not one of those people who looks forward to a new year with anticipation - like magically things will be much different than yesterday, because I said so and that I have the super will power to make it so. And honestly I tend to cringe when I hear people go on and on about their resolutions and all the new beginnings they are looking forward to making happen!
However to my chagrin, I feel myself kind of being one of those people this year... :)
I feel myself very much looking forward to this new year! I really do not know what I am expecting to happen this year. Like most people during this time of year I would love to resolve to weigh less, eat less, sleep more, & love more! But for some reason - I am filled with great hope that this coming year is going to be filled with blessing & peace.... simply because I know that God provides grace for me to do exactly what He has in front of me to do. I know it won't always be easy and I am sure there will be difficulty and hardship, as well as joy, comfort and laughter.
As I look into this new year - I want to remember that I am not alone. That God is in control; even on the days when I shake my fist at Him for unanswered prayer or simply saying no to my prayers. I pray that I am able to submit humbly to God and ask for forgiveness for my unbelief and self righteousness and anger. I hope that I will not be blind to the blessings and mercies that He grants and that I may find comfort in God alone. And I pray that am able to extend hope and grace to others on a daily basis as I strive to peacefully embrace this new year, whatever may come.
I wanted to leave some passages of Scripture that have really been on my heart the last few days and even as we were in church this morning.
Psalm 51
1 Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight;
so you are right in your verdict
and justified when you judge.
5 Surely I was sinful at birth,
sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
6 Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;
you taught me wisdom in that secret place.
and my sin is always before me.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight;
so you are right in your verdict
and justified when you judge.
5 Surely I was sinful at birth,
sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
6 Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;
you taught me wisdom in that secret place.
7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins
and blot out all my iniquity.
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins
and blot out all my iniquity.
10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
so that sinners will turn back to you.
14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
you who are God my Savior,
and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
15 Open my lips, Lord,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
17 My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart
you, God, will not despise.
so that sinners will turn back to you.
14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
you who are God my Savior,
and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
15 Open my lips, Lord,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
17 My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart
you, God, will not despise.
18 May it please you to prosper Zion,
to build up the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous,
in burnt offerings offered whole;
then bulls will be offered on your altar.
to build up the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous,
in burnt offerings offered whole;
then bulls will be offered on your altar.
Numbers 6:24-26
“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”
Happy New Year!
Blessings,
Missy
Happy New Year!
Blessings,
Missy
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