Today is the day when you eat black-eyed peas for good luck and you kissed someone at midnight to ensure that you won’t be lonely in the new year. Today you will make your New Year’s Resolutions and claim it to be better than the year before. You might talk about how horrible the previous year was and how glad you are to be done with it. You will say the new year has to be better! It’s a new page in a new chapter and you are ready for it, or are you?
I myself had a trying 2017. I lost two important people in my life to death within months of each other. I was drowning in grief daily. I was barely able to function for a while. I actually still have days where the tears flow and I can’t stop them. I filed for bankruptcy. I took on a second job to replace the social security income I lost having had two daughters graduate high school within a year of each other. It was a year that you would think I would like to forget…
But 2017 also brought me answered prayers.
It brought me precious memories that can never be taken away. It brought me spiritual growth that I’ve never had before. It even brought me to a new level of physical fitness. (I finished a half marathon and a full marathon.) I had friendships grow through prayer. I had the Lord by my side through the ups and the downs. He was constantly taking care of me, sending people my way when I needed them most, whispering to me that He would make beauty from the ashes, and holding me close even when I didn’t want Him to anymore. 2017 may have been one of my hardest years but it was also one of my best. The hard parts are meant to grow us as people and as Christians.
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The ONLY way I made it through was with the Lord and the only way I will make it through this next year is with Him too. My resolution is to grow in my relationship with the Lord and leave it all in His hands. That’s really all anyone needs because if you are growing with Him, then everything else in your life falls into place just as He has designed for you. He already knows the future. There were times when I asked Him, “How is this for my good, Lord?” And I may never know the answer to that this side of heaven but I trust Him. Isaiah 66:9 lets us know that the Lord will not cause pain without allowing something new in. I want to be ready for whatever that “new” is! He wants what is best for us and this year I want whatever it is He wants for me. That doesn’t come by sitting idly by though. We need to be in His word and stay in constant communication with Him.
Let your resolution be to grow in the Lord this year and see what amazing things He does for you!
Read What Will You Commit to in the New Year? for my thoughts going into 2019!
I think 2017 hit a lot of us hard. Hopefully 2018 will be better.
I’m sure it will be!
Your website and very pretty and enjoyed reading your post!
Thank you so much!
Very inspiring! God is all we need. Sorry you had a rough 2017.
Thank you so much! And yes He is!
Sorry 2017 was so hard for you, here’s hoping this year is better! Hugs
Thank you! There was lots of good in 2017 too but I know God has even bigger plans for this year!
People say you can’t have happiness without sadness. As dumb as it sounds it’s so true. We must make a conscious effort to appreciate what we do have. I am thankful for my family and our health. Everything else is secondary though sometimes we forget. May 2018 be a great year for you.
Thank you so much! There is much to be learned in the sadness and it does make us more thankful! Have a blessed 2018!
Oh, I understand how difficult it can be losing someone. And how amazing it is for God to wipe those tears away and restore. My Mom died in 2007 and two months later we found out we were pregnant with our 3rd child. Beauty from ashes. Joy amidst the grief. Thankful that you are still clinging to Jesus when you’re down and are looking up instead of at your feet. “19 Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:19. Keep in touch!
Thank you so much for these words! Beauty from ashes is what I hear Him tell me daily! Such an amazing God we serve!
2017 has been a hard year for a lot of people. I hope this year is better!
Thank you so much! With God anything is possible 🙂
2017 was a difficult year for many. This year WILL be better!
Last year still brought many answered prayers! Thank you!
Thank you for this reminder. It has been hard on my family since we left our church back in Indiana. We haven’t found one that “feels” right. We still have our Lord in our home but I do need to put in more effort to find a new church home for my family.
Worship with others is so important but I understand how hard it is to find a new church! I pray you are able to find the right one soon!
That is possibly the best resolution that I can think to make! Please accept my condolences, and I hope that 2018 is a happier year for you and for everyone! 💛
Thank you so much!! I really appreciate it! Blessings in the New Year to you and yours!
Cheers to a great year! And hope that we continue to be blessed with more years to come!
Amen!
2017 had its ups and downs…I for one am glad for the fresh new year! Thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome! Thank you for reading and commenting!
Amen and amen! May God richly bless you in 2018 and beyond!
Thank you! May you and yours be blessed as well!
good for you for pulling through. Faith is an amazing thing.
Yes it is!