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What a year, right? Ask many people about 2016 and they'll use naughty language to describe it.
Er hem.
But seriously? All those chances, choices we had to grow closer to God! To move over, sit nearer to Him rather than running, wandering. To watch Him suddenly become more real and a sweeter comfort, walker-with-us than all friends or relatives or pet companions, combined.
Awesome, those opportunities.
Plus, in 2016, we could treasure-hunt positive, uplifting people, books, biographies, social media, inspiring quotes and thoughts, tv series. We could travel or hike down trails or simply around our neighborhood.
We had chances to love, give, change, grow, be bold, be patient (and be s-q-u-e-e-z-e-d, oh dear, what comes out!) and to eat, drink and be merry.
Remember what Frank P. Church alluded to in his famous letter to Virginia?
"The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world."
Or what 1 Peter 3 says?
" ...let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious."
No span of days can snatch away Life's most precious, hidden things. God plainly sees those, we mostly just sense and feel them through His goodness. Ah, His goodness! It can paint the darkest, shadowy day over in brilliant strokes of gold, instead. Anytime.
And no one, no 2016 type of year, either, can rip away what's real from any of us who keep looking upward to receive it.
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" ... while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal." ... 2 Corinthians 4:18
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." ... 2 Corinthians 5:17
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Anyone struggling today? Oh my, may this fix you right up! Wow. What a life's-axis-straightener.
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Snow Day. Trash Day, too. :)
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Stress is not what happens to us. It's our response to what happens and response is something we can choose.Maureen Killoran quotes |
Your words today lifted my spirit as I spent my first Christmas without my husband. There is still so much good to be found and words of hope in the Bible.
ReplyDeleteOh Terra! I left a comment at your blog, but I also wanted to say here that I'm so very sorry you lost your dear husband. May you feel closer to God than ever in the days and weeks to come and may He continue to comfort you as only He can. I'm so glad my words helped you today and I appreciate your reading my blog these past years. God bless you richly in the new life ahead that He has for you! Hugs, Debra
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and uplifting post today Debra. So many are distressed by the things of this year and the passing of so many. But God is ALWAYS there. By the way, I have fallen down the rabbit hole. Dennis ordered me seasons 1-7 of the Gilmore Girls for my birthday! It was less expensive than ordering 2-7. I love it! If you know anyone who may be in need of the season one you gifted me I'll be happy to share. Thank you again my sweet friend.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Betsy
What a year! I am trying to embrace the words, "in light of eternity what difference does it make."
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post, Debra. This past year was the most challenging of my life, but God was right there in the middle of everything...healing, comforting, loving us through every single day. You're right, we have countless opportunities to draw close to God. And when we do, my oh my, get ready for the blessings to flow! Thanks for these reminders, Debra.
ReplyDeleteBetsy--sent you an email... Have fun down the rabbit hole! :)
ReplyDeleteMabeane--wishing you all good things in 2017!
Pam-- so happy you, too, get it and I'm so glad you came through your hard times so victoriously this year! Keep in touch, ok?
Thanks for commenting, Ladies! Blessings, Debra