A New Year, A New Day

So many have asked me about my goals for the New Year. Frankly, I do well do set goals for the new day. But I will say this: What I want most to focus on in this New Year 2013 - is studying God's Word. I'm excited to dig deep and know my Father better. When you read this, in fact, I'll be on the road.

 

 

Jim and I are joining Kim Woodhouse and her family to take Precepts Ministry training so that we can be "official" Precept leaders. If you haven't done a Precepts study (put together by Kay Arthur) I highly recommend you give it a try. The style of study and manner in which they get you to dig into the Word - is amazing. If you want more information on this - go to this website: http://precept.org

I also want to say that while 2012 was an extremely hard year - it was a year of learning. I have to say that many times, my adult children were responsible for teaching me wonderful lessons about my relationship with God.

 

 

I love my children dearly - they are some of the very best that God has blessed me with in life and I cherish them so much. However, there were times when I felt so frustrated with them - their actions might not be what I thought were the best - their choices might have been poor - their daily activities upsetting.  But even in those situation - it humbled me and caused me to remember that this is often how God (our Heavenly Father) sees us.

There are times when He offers us words of wisdom and we ignore them thinking we know better.

There are times when He extends forgiveness, but we stubbornly refuse thinking we've done nothing wrong.

There are times when He takes strong stands with us - sets difficult boundaries and we rebel.

There are times when all He wants to do is love us and we push Him away.

Seeing the world - especially my relationship with others through the eyes of Jesus has given me an entirely new perspective. I hold great love for so many and yet some of those folks want nothing of that love I offer.

The same is true for God. He extends His love to so many and they want nothing to do with it.

I challenge you in this new year to reach out to those unloving folks - those who are difficult to love - those who reject your best offering of love.

Write a list of those people and commit to pray--to take them to the throne of God everyday. Don't try to carry them yourself or fix them - rather be willing to leave them with the master "fixer" the One who knows and loves them best. Above all - just continue to love them - that's my goal for the New Year.

Blessings

Tracie