Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Out with the old....

2015 is just around the corner...and at the end of the day 2014 will be a memory.  Before you know it, 2015 will be in the rearview mirror too.  Lucy Maude Montgomery in her classic book Anne of Green Gables said, “Isn’t it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?”  What are some of the mistakes you would love to erase in 2014?  I can think of many of mine:

  • Insecurity
  • Worry
  • Anxiety
  • Envy
  • Pride
  • and much more....

The above were just honest samplings of my experiences in 2014; however, if we are all honest...haven't we all had those very same issues pop in from time to time?  I truly believe the root of all evil is INSECURITY.  If we are insecure...do we not worry?  If we are insecure about something...are we anxious or worry about it (and constantly think of things to change or fix it)?  If we are insecure...are we not envious about others that seem to have it "all together"?  If we are insecure...does our selfish pride find excuses why we are better?  Seriously?  Aren't we all in the same boat? 

2014 wasn't a hard year for "me" specifically; however, I saw friends deal with death, separation, job loss, illnesses, financial  hardships and other tough life issues that caused me to be on my knees so much in prayer that I sometimes lost sight to pray for my own family.   In November, a revival broke out in my church that made me seriously pray for my family.  I prayed that the spirit would so move in my family that if any one of us truly weren't HIS that the spirit would make us UNCOMFORTABLE!  Guess what....He did just that.  My 15 year old daughter was weepy and doubted her faith for a few weeks before we finally nailed down her salvation.  I allowed a few weeks to lapse only to make sure she just didn't suffer a period of doubt (even Christians have moments of doubt), and to truly make a decision that would stick....and she did.  The joy and peace that she had from the minute she said AMEN was life altering!  Are you praying that the spirit will make those you love uncomfortable until they are His? 

Out with the old...2014 you are in the rear view mirror!  2015...you are my blank slate....no mistakes in it unless I put it there.  2014 my life word was INTENTIONAL and my life verse was Joshua 1:8-9.  I constantly prayed for my friends and family, truly invested myself to helping God's people and being more intentional with my time.  2015 my (OUR....I am picking a FAMILY one this year) life word is HEALTH.  It's a weird word to choose...since it isn't an action verb; however, it is a noun.  It must sound selfish to pick a word that is focused more on "me" (us) as the subject, huh?  I picked this word since I want to heal myself from the inside out...not just for me, but for my family.  Scripturally, Jehovah-Rapha, God our Healer, can do just that.  Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins, and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion.  Psalm 103:2-4 (our Life Verse).  Physically, I can focus what goes into our body by making better food choices and finding ways to make my family more physically active.  Mentally/emotionally, I can make genuine strides to put away insecurity and focus on being exactly what God has for me each day.

Bring on 2015!!  Bring on HEALTH:  from the inside out.  It will be a more healthier me, a more healthier family...and I can promise we will have more energy to give and invest in ourselves and others. 

What are your plans for 2015?  Do you have a life word?  A life verse?  I encourage you to find one, write it down and SHARE!  You are more than welcomed to copy mine...word for word, verse for verse.  The key is to share...this will help you to encourage others to be more INTENTIONAL with making a goal for 2015.  SEE what I just did?  I closed my very last post, on the very last day of 2014 being INTENTIONAL!  Time to stop looking in the rear view mirror as you cannot change one thing in 2014....but 2015 is 365 days of new opportunities.  Choose each day wisely. 

My hope for you:  May He give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. Psalm 20:4

Blessings to your new year,
Angie

2 comments:

  1. I have never picked a verse but yours is perfect for me as I'm once again starting school to become a certified school nurse.

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  2. I am thrilled my life verse is perfect for you, Tracy. I hope as you claim those God inspired words for your year, it will guide your path as you finalize your degree/certification. Wishing you MUCH success and that blessings abound for you in 2015!

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