Happy New Year to you & your family!! God has blessed us with the opportunity to see another year go by & to welcome 2014!! We must not take the gift of life for granted.
2013 (as well as 2012) was difficult for me. I faced many challenges & struggles, but as one of my favorite gospel songs states, “I’m Still Here”. I know in the midst of what I’m facing, there is a testimony on the way; this testimony will show me how God brought me through it all, show me I’m strong in Him, & will help someone else.
Towards the latter half of last year, my heart was so heavy. Not only was I facing my challenges & struggles, but there were a number of deaths that occurred (an older cousin of mine, Nelson Mandela, & Paul Walker, to name a few). I began to ponder on life & its tendency to be very fleeting! As fleeting as it is, I thought of the life that my cousin lived, the examples set by Nelson Mandela & Paul Walker through the actions they took. What an impact we can make if we only tried; sometimes, it’s the simplest of things that go the furthest.
Last year, my Anchor Verses were:
“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” -Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV)
As I reflect on last year & these verses, I realized that I want to use the same verses this year. I don’t feel that I fully took these words to heart & acted in them in the midst of my year. I feel that this year will be the year I achieve what the verses are asking of me; using them & my experiences to become a better me–a me who will show growth & faith in my actions & words.
With this being said, my word for this year, to coincide with the verses, is: LIVE. I want to live fully, experience my Bucket List items, stop putting things off for tomorrow (because the next moment is not guaranteed), achieve my dreams & goals, & to be all that God has in store for me. I know this year will bring its own challenges & whatnot, but my goal is to not focus on the challenges, but the good & positive aspects of life, no matter what may come my way.
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| My 2013 Blessing Jar Photo credit: © Lisi P, 2014
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Lastly, I did keep my Blessing Jar for last year!! Yay! I’m in the process of going through it & reviewing the blessings that God trusted me with! He’s a good God. Right now, I will mention 2 that stand out for me: 1) The blessing to see another birthday & 2) The opportunity to visit Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church in Houston, TX, & meet him. My God is good!!
I will continue the Blessing Jar for this year too. I’m excited about what lies ahead & will use last year’s challenges, struggles, & lessons to become a better me for 2014!!!
Live fully, my friends & family!!! Let this year be all that you seek in God!
Until next time.
Blessings,
© Lisi P, 2014
