New year......what will 2012 bring

New Year......it always brings resolutions or the attempt at resolutions.  I am hoping I can lose some weight and gain a job.  2011 had its joys, sorrows, hardships and trials.  However, through it all one thing remained steady.......my Lord.  As for my husband and children...and self.....we grew, we made mistakes, we learned, we laughed and we loved.  We prayed, we cried, we rejoiced, we played and we planned. Life...it is made up of all of these things.  So what will 2012 bring?  More of the same, joys, sorrows, hopes realized, hopes and dreams that change, a little of this and a little of that. Yet one thing will remain the same.......my Lord.  HE never changes. His promises are yes and amen.  He is the rock, our foundation, the one and only constant we can count on. The economy, politics, gas prices, etc etc...all change, with ups and downs like the proverbial roller coaster, but my Lord.......He is never changing, ever loving, ever merciful, ever the peace giver, the provider.  Will I accomplish EVERYTHING I want this year, most likely not, BUT my Lord......He will grow me, change me, mold me and make me.  However, I must yield to the growing, the molding, the making, and the changing.  HE knows what I will face this year. I trust HIM.

I thank God for my family, the love in our home, the warmth in our hearts.  What we have far outweighs what the world has or wants.  Our children have grown in grace, beauty, and in the Lord.  As their bodies grow, their minds expand and their faith continues to blossom. I excitedly see, the hopes and the dreams for the future.  I want to see life like they see it, full of possibility instead of maybes.  Full of promises, instead of possibly.  They see life as an adventure, another day to find and discover what life and the Lord holds for them. Do they voice this? No but they live it.  Every day is a new day..ready for discovery, ready to live, ready to find joy in the journey.

My dreams for this family is to grow in Jesus and in our love for each other. Love is ever growing, ever changing, ever deepening.  I commit to this family to be the wife, mother, God has called me to be. Will I do it perfectly? No but my God, my King is my strength, my source the one on whom I can depend.  The one who will help me walk the walk, talk the talk and be there to pick me up when I fall down. We ALL fall down, we all make mistakes...the key is getting up and moving on in Jesus. Letting Him,  hold our hand, pick us up, dust us off and teach us how to avoid the pitfalls.  Not one of us, no not one, can walk it perfectly, BUT everyone of us can rely on our Redeemer, our Refuge to be our ever present help.

My prayer is that I will find more in Jesus this year than ever before.  That others will see more Jesus in me. That I will make a difference in the life of someone and that I will live to serve Jesus and others. That I will think what can I do for someone today that will make their life better?

So whatever comes, whatever winds blow...I will trust on the one who holds my hand because He knows my tomorrow and His plans are written already in His Word:

Jeremiah 29:11
New International Version (NIV)
¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future