I love the New Year. It always makes me sit back and think about the previous year and also about the year upcoming.
2008 was a good year for me. One of the best in quite some time. I saw more personal spiritual growth than any year I can remember. I finally got into the habit of spending some time with God every morning, something I had been “trying” to do for years and years. I struggled through some very difficult, dry times spiritually. Things aren’t perfect now but I’m still here and my resolve to serve God is still strong. 2008 saw the roller coaster that had been my spiritual life even out and my growth has been steady. It’s been a hard year for me, lots of doubt, lots of stress and worry, but the good news is God has been with me and I know I am stronger because of it. My life in 2008 was like a tree in winter. All the leaves are gone, it looks dead, but it’s really just holding steady waiting for the Spring. In the winter we see the tree’s true strength. We see the limbs and branches, the foundation from which the leaves and fruit depend. That’s been my year. I’ve learned a lot about my foundation.
2009? I’m not sure what it will bring. My main goal is to pay off my student loans from college. After that I look forward to stepping into overseas missions in 2010 hopefully. My prayer for 2009 is that God would make me stronger. That the doubts I have been battling would give way to a faith that is tested and proven strong. That I would look back on 2009 and know that I am closer to God on December 31,2009 than I am today, January 1st.
Father, I pray that 2009 would be the year of faith. That my faith in you would overcome my doubts. I pray that I would learn to trust You with the entirety of my life. I pray for growth in my relationships – with You, with Abby, with family, and with friends. I pray that 2009 would be the year of victory over negative mindsets and attitudes. I ask that You work in my life. May my mind think on whatever is pure and holy. May my eyes see circumstances as You see them. May my ears be able to hear Your voice and Your promises over the chatter of the world. May my mouth speak Your words, words that uplift and build up rather than tear down and destroy. May my heart be set upon You, may my motives be righteous and true. May my hands be used to heal and not hurt, may they be used as instruments of Your love. May my feet follow Your paths and be kept from bad situations and cirumstances. May I grow closer to You every day. Pick me up with I fall down. Walk with me this year, Father.
