Finishing up 2012 today with
paperwork
filing
organizing
and reflecting about how I can improve and grow
in
2013
There's always a sense of starting fresh and doing a better job in the new year.
It's human nature to believe we will grow and improve
and become better with age and wisdom
If
2013
brings personal challenges
(and you know it will)
I'd like to think I'm more prepared to handle them with a modicum of grace
less panic
less stress
less fear
more assurance
that in the end, all things will work out as they are meant to.
Sunday
in church service
my pastor spoke of the storm the disciples faced in their boat on the Sea of Galilee.
You know
the one that was raging
while
Jesus
was
asleep
in the boat.
He spoke of storms that we're meant to ride out,
because those trials test our faith
and bring us growth, endurance, maturity
and
greater faith
I've experienced
many
of the
challenges
life can throw at a person
and struggled through a fair number of trials
and
have come to believe
that
God
is here
He's participating in it all
very close at hand
watching and guaging and coaching
and
hedging me about
and
providing and comforting
and
delivering
and
tenderly
discerning
what
I
will
face
I'm thankful for the trials I have missed
due to His action of moving me out of the way.
Some folks have faced things much harder and more profound,
and not because they deserve any tougher trials that I do.
I'm just
saying
I'm thankful
in
hindsight
for those
He has allowed me to walk through
and
survive.
They grow us up
and
change us
and
sand off some
rough edges
but
most importantly
they
have taught me
that
nothing
is
uncontrolled
when we are relying on His grace and asking for
His
guidance
and
direction.
My
faith
continues to grow
and
2013
will will be a year of growth
