Every
year the TV, radio and newspapers will do a “year in review”. It might be the
top news stories, which famous personalities died during the year, the top 100
songs of the year or the biggest tragedies of the year. No matter what the list
contains, there is someone throughout the year keeping a record.
As
I thought of this I started to review my year by assessing goals I set in January.
I usually write them down and then review once in a while throughout the year
to see if I am still “on track”.
Here
is my list:
·
Do
at least 1 Bible study: Examples: Kay Arthur, Jerry Bridges
·
“Establishing
a heart for God” Bible study and
Journal
·
Read/listen
to Bible through in a year (chronically)
·
Read
4 Christian nonfiction books: Biographies, growth, counseling
·
Encourage/help
others (Acts of Kindness)
·
Send
notes/cards monthly
·
Memorize
verses
·
Praise/prayer Journal
·
Nanc
certification - work on
·
Giving
Jar
·
Walk
a mile at least 3 times a week
·
Write
at least 6 blogs a month
How
did I do? Well I completed seven of the items listed above, three of them were
partly completed and two I did not do at all. Do I feel like a failure? Absolutely
not, I did many things not on my list and I learned daily that I need to follow
Jesus’ lead.
As
I reviewed last year I see blessing abound. God richly blesses us (all of us)
daily. The political and economic environments around the world have not always been strong, but God is still
in control. Each and everything that is happening in the world today is not
happening without His knowledge. I cannot get depressed about the world’s affairs
but I can pray and ask God for wisdom and inner peace in times of duress.
The
Bible is filled with assurance and comfort here are just a few verses:
… for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake
thee. Hebrews 13:5
If
any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men
liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. James 1:5
Trust
in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In
all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5 -6
Walk
in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Colossians 4:5
Let
your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know
how ye ought to answer every man. Colossians 4:6
Trust
in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is
a refuge for us. Selah. Psalm 62:8
For
thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth. Psalm
71:5
But
it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord
GOD, that I may declare all thy works. Psalm 73:28
I will close my review with some
entries from my thankful journal:
·
Jesus – I shudder
to think of where I would be without Him
·
Bible – His precious
word for guidance, wisdom, counsel… for everything
·
Health
·
Grandchildren
·
“Establishing a
heart for God Bible study” Bible study journal
·
God’s protection
·
Surviving the
blizzard of 2013
·
Neighbors – I have
awesome neighbors who are there for us
·
Quiet time
·
Children
·
Family
·
God’s bountiful blessings
Ps 68:19
·
Job
·
Ability to pay
my bills
·
Coffee
·
Memories
·
Birds chirping –
it means I can hear
·
Sunsets and sun
risings – it means I can see
·
Balancing a
checkbook – it means my mind is still functioning
·
Friends
I could go on and on, however, this
is just a sliver of my thankfulness to the Great and Wonderful Creator for all
He has done and will do.
Be
glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that
are upright in heart. Psalm 32:11
Rejoice
in this verse means to “spin around” “be glad, joyful”. I have so much to “spin
around” for. How about you? Start the New Year with a thankful journal and you
will be pleasantly surprised when you do “a year in review”.
Donna
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