Happy New Year!

I had several things I wanted to write about for this week's blog and at the last minute I changed my mind.  I will have to save my other thoughts for another week, because I felt this was more appropriate for the start of a new year.  What do we all typically do at the first of every year?  We make a resolution.  I want to invite you this year to not only look ahead to 2011 but look back at 2010.  There is a beautiful song - we sang it this past Sunday in church.  It always reminds me to remember - remember back to all the blessings we have had and the things God has done.   The words are below:

We will remember, we will remember
We will remember the works of Your hands
We will stop and give you praise
For great is Thy faithfulness

You’re our creator, our life sustainer
Deliverer, our comfort, our joy
Throughout the ages You’ve been our shelter
Our peace in the midst of the storm

With signs and wonders You’ve shown Your power
With precious blood You showed us Your grace
You’ve been our helper, our liberator
The giver of life with no end

When we walk through life’s darkest valleys
We will look back at all You have done
And we will shout, our God is good
And He is the faithful One

Hallelujah, hallelujah
To the one from whom all blessings flow
Hallelujah, hallelujah
To the one whose glory has been shown

I still remember the day You saved me
The day I heard You call out my name
You said You loved me and would never leave me
And I’ve never been the same

When I sing this song, I reflect on all the times when I struggled  in 2010 and He stood by me.  I think about all the cries to God for direction & comfort during confusing times.  I will not forget - He was faithful.  I remember the year started off very rough - I cried about the entire month of January for challenges that seemed to great for me to see a way out.  When you are hurting and each day it doesn't seem to get better - you can lose hope.  But God is faithful - He got me through it and because of those painful times, I am better because of it.  I remember heartaches with my children - the brokenness of a hurting child goes deep in a parent.  But God was right by my side and comforting me.  Hopefully because of those times, He will bring my children to a better place.  I watched God begin to do a healing in the life of a dear precious friend of mine - I'm so thankful to have her smiling & laughing again.  The year brought challenges but with God by my side, I withstood the storms of life.  As I start a new year, I think about what is in store.  Sometimes I fear the unknown.  One thing I do know is that He is always on His throne and in complete control.  I will trust Him no matter what.  He loves me.  He always works out all things for the good for those that love Him. (Romans 8:28)   So as I begin 2011, I move forward with my eyes fixed on Him.  As I look over each verse of this sweet song, I'm reminded of His hand...He is my sustainer.  Let's not forget He is the "giver of life".  My deliverer - He delivers me from sin.  My comfort & joy - true contentment I have found in Him.  He shelters me through the storms of life - He gives me peace when nothing else can!  So many signs and wonders I have seen through answered prayers.  He is the Almighty Grace Giver - when I don't deserve it.  I often ask why God is so forgiving and good to me.  When I look back on 2010 - I want to shout for all to hear - "My God is good and He is the faithful One.  Happy New Year!