It's A New Year

        The year was 1990. The day was May 27. The day I celebrated a New Year. Our youngest son turned three!

        The celebration started with the arrival of family and friends followed by the usual children’s games, cake, ice cream and presents. Our son, being full of life and exuberant energy made the day all the more exciting.

        As evening came and he was safely tucked into bed with his new toys, I turned to my husband and said, “I’m so happy, he is finally three. The terrible twos are over!” My husband held me close and replied, “Cindy, he was just two yesterday, turning three doesn’t mean he has changed overnight.” At that moment the reality of what my husband had just said hit me. He was right. In a moment the air leaked out of my party balloons as the celebration atmosphere ended and reality set back in.

        Many people around the world start each January first with the same excitement I had for my son’s third birthday, great celebration and hopes that in some sort of strange way everything will change over night. Unfortunately, as much as we would like for it to,  life doesn’t work like that.

        One thing I have come to realize, over the years, is for everything there is a season. Thank God for the seasons of our lives, because seasons come and seasons go. They never last forever.

        One of my favorite verses in God’s Word is, Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. No matter what you are facing in your life today, there is always hope.
      
        I pray that as you begin 2012 you will come to know the hope that is available to you through coming to know the God of the Bible in a personal way.

        Father God, behind every door of every home people are facing things their not quite sure they can deal with. Many are hurting because of loved ones they have lost. Many are fearful because they have either lost their job or could loose their job and they aren’t sure what will happen next. Father, there are even those who have come to the point they have lost all hope. I’m asking you today to touch their hearts and lives. Will you meet each and everyone right at their point of need and let them know there is healing for the hurting, there is peace and comfort for those who are living in fear and there is hope for their future. In Jesus Name, Amen!