It’s the most
reflective time of the year. After the busy rush of
Christmas everyone seems to slow down for just a minute to exam their lives a little more closely as a one year ends and a new one begins. Eventually, everyone
jumps on the bandwagon of self-improvement making resolutions from losing
weight (especially after all those glorious Christmas cookies and holiday
feasts!) to reading more, doing something for the community, cussing less (yeah
I said it, I know there are some of you out there), decreasing hours spent on Facebook,
to simply dining out less and saving more. There are even a few of us that keep these
resolutions past January 15th (kudos to those who keep their resolutions/word)!
Last year I remember being very eager to kiss 2012 goodbye (see Dear 2012 We’re Breaking Up). But this year I find myself saying “Is it really over already? 2013, are we really counting down the hours to
kiss you goodbye?” Don’t get me
wrong – I’m happy to start a fresh new year, but I am so overwhelmed with
thankfulness for 2013. I entered 2013
heartbroken and a bit out of breath from 2012. But as one of my favorite
scriptures says: “we
know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those
who are called according to his purpose.” God was faithful to this promise from Romans
8:28. Here’s
just a glimpse of His promise fulfilled:
 |
| At the St.Louis Arch in September |
· He reintroduced me to my love for children, teaching them, and seeing them grow as I taught preschool for a season.
· He encouraged me as I ventured out to spread the word about my return to the Philippines and has provided for the journey in miraculous ways.
· I was able to offer support to others in a way I never would have imagined I could two years ago.
· Participate in Hurricane Sandy relief.
· I was able to travel to Missouri, Delaware, North Carolina, South Carolina, New York, & Pennsylvania to see friends, meet new friends, attend conferences, and itinerate. (Such a gift!)
Yes it seems God has being doing a good work in this little heart of
mine, I’m overflowing with
thankfulness. And as 2013 comes
to a close I’m reminded of Hosea 6:1-3:
“Come, let us return to the Lord;
for he has torn us, that he may heal us;
he has struck us down, and he will bind us up.
After two days he will revive us;
on the third day he will raise us up,
that we may live before him.
Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord;
his going out is sure as the dawn;
he will come to us as the showers,
as the spring rains that water the earth.”
for he has torn us, that he may heal us;
he has struck us down, and he will bind us up.
After two days he will revive us;
on the third day he will raise us up,
that we may live before him.
Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord;
his going out is sure as the dawn;
he will come to us as the showers,
as the spring rains that water the earth.”
Hosea 6:1-3 is my resolution: To
return to Him in a greater measure and allow Him to love in and through me even
more extravagantly than ever before.
He is reviving me…He has given me
the greatest gift this year as He showered me with His grace. I can’t think of another reason to be more
thankful.
I encourage you to press on to know the Lord in 2014 like never before, He is
faithful to meet you – no matter what it is that you are going through as 2013
closes and 2014 enters. HE is bigger
than all our problems or worst case scenarios.
Join me, return to Him, and allow Him to do what He does best…respond.
Happy New Year!
Bethany
Ricci
