A New Year With Joy

A new year has began for each of us. It is during this time that I think amount my life in the past year, what has been good within me as well as what I would like to improve in the year ahead. These thoughts about the past year bring thanksgiving to God as I remember many things He has given to me through my physical body as well as my spiritual thoughts. As I look forward to what the year ahead holds for me, it gives me hope, love, and praise to God as He cares for me every moment of my life. There are a few things that enter my thoughts each day in the new year.

My first ‘goal’ in the new year is to read the Bible again. Last year, I enjoyed reading the entire Bible from Genesis through Revelation. There were many words that I couldn’t understand or even say. Yet, I felt like a student who could learn a bit as I studied. Now as I read the Bible again this year, it gives me peace and hope from day to day as I hear God’s words again and He teaches me more and more. God’s writing includes many names in His stories. At first this was frustrating for me but now it gives me happiness as it teaches me how important each person is to God as He created them to be in His world. Some of the people followed God because they loved Him and desired to live for Him. Then other people chose to walk away from God and their lives were very different in God’s story. In addition to reading God’s words, I talk to Him throughout my day in prayer as I think of many people in need as well as praising God who is stronger that anything else on the earth.

In my reading today, I was touched by Exodus 4:11-12 as God is talking to Moses and tells him to be His servant and help his people who need help. “The Lord said to him, ‘Who makes human beings able to talk? Who makes them unable to hear or speak? Who makes them able to see? Who makes them blind? It is I, the Lord. Now go. I will help you speak. I will teach you what to say.’” As a result of the accident, I struggle to speak words, to see everything with my eyes, to hear everything with my ears. Yet, God tells me to serve others as His mouth, hands and feet as He can use me.

In addition to reading the Bible each day, I have started reading the devotional book, “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young. At the beginning of the book, I am touched through her words as she shares as though Jesus is speaking to us. “Come to me with a teachable spirit, eager to be changed. A close walk with me is a life of continual newness. Do not cling to old ways as you step into a new year. Instead, seek my face with an open mind, knowing that your journey with Me involves being transformed by the renewing of your mind.” That speaks to me about using my mind rather than my broken brain. It fills me with hope and the ability to learn more and more each day as God speaks through my mind even with my broken brain.

As last year ended, Gary and I enjoyed watching the movie “Forrest Gump.” In many ways, I felt like Forrest Gump who was created as a different type of person. Following the accident, God healed me as a different type of person than I was previously. As a child, Forrest Gump was happy as the person he was created and helped others even though many did not understand him. Then as an adult, his life continued to help others in many ways they needed help. In many ways I feel as a child who was born again almost 2 years ago. What I can understand and do now is very different in my life. Now it is very special to help others in need. It is easy to be angry or emotional following the terrible accident that happened to me, yet it is amazing that God “created” me as a child close to death with many new ways to serve Him. It touches me to touch others through words, smiles, and helping new born babies who have many needs through my knitting and sewing. As I think about other people, I am thankful how God creates each one of us in different ways and thus His glory can be served in many ways throughout our family, city, state, nation - through the entire world.

Every day as I read from the Bible, God gives me personal words that give me hope from Him. Here are some of the versus that encourage me:

Psalm 4:3-8

“The Lord has set apart the redeemed for himself. Therefore he will listen to me and answer when I call to him. Stand before the Lord in awe, and do not sin against him. Lie quietly upon your bed in silent meditation. Put your trust in the Lord, and offer him pleasing sacrifices. Many say that God will never help us. Prove them wrong, O Lord, by letting the light of your face shine down upon us. Yes, the gladness you have given me is far greater than their joys at harvest time as they gaze at their bountiful crops. I will lie down in peace and sleep, for though I am alone, I Lord, you will keep me safe.”

Proverbs 3:5-6:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Do not depend on your own understanding. In all you ways obey him. Then he will make your paths smooth and straight.”

So as God gives me peace and joy throughout my life, may God give you peace and joy as well as you walk with Him.