January 1, 2104 - A Prayer for the New Year

Good morning fam and Happy New Year. Terry and I are in North Carolina and wow, it is really cold here. I pray your New Year's Eve ended well and today started better. Mine did. Last night I wanted to pray at midnight but found myself smiling for several minutes and simply saying, "thank you." I was moved yesterday at the comments on Facebook where person after person couldn't wait for this year to be over. Actually, I stopped and wondered if they actually make that comment EVERY new year. I was saddened to think that so many times we remember the bad, vividly, and the good vaguely. I paused yesterday and repented for the number of times I had made similar declarations at the close of the year. Yes, we ALL have tough situations - but can you think of a single time when God abandoned you? Left you in a lurch? Proclaimed you were a looser? NO! I spent time yesterday going through the awesome things that had occurred during the past twelve months and to my surprise, the challenges seemed slight in comparison. I made myself a promise, I will not post on Facebook, laugh and proclaim at parties, or flippantly remark, "I can't wait for this wretched year to be over" ever again. For ME, that appears to glorify the challenges and not celebrate the victories - ever so small may they be. For ME, that says, "God, you could have done a better job helping me this year." For ME.... Today, I leave you with this psalm as a prayer as we start another chapter in our journey - the year of open doors. :) Have a great day, PK. Psalm 112 (NLT) 1 Praise the Lord! How joyful are those who fear the Lord and delight in obeying his commands. 2 Their children will be successful everywhere; an entire generation of godly people will be blessed. 3 They themselves will be wealthy, and their good deeds will last forever. 4 Light shines in the darkness for the godly. They are generous, compassionate, and righteous. 5 Good comes to those who lend money generously and conduct their business fairly. 6 Such people will not be overcome by evil. Those who are righteous will be long remembered. 7 They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the Lord to care for them. 8 They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly. 9 They share freely and give generously to those in need. Their good deeds will be remembered forever. They will have influence and honor.