Where has the year gone?

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 2  A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; 3  A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 4  A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 5  A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 6  A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; 7  A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 8  A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Where has the year gone? In just one day we will enter a new year, 2015. It seems like yesterday that I was in high school and thinking about “how old” I would be in 2000. It is now 15 years later and I’m still marveling over the New Century.

What was this year like for you? Did you do a lot of traveling? Where family members “added” as in a marriage or a new birth? Did you do something you always wanted to do? Did you complete anything on your “bucket list”? Did you make goals at the start of 2014? How did you do?

Each year I make “goals” for the coming year, activities that will enhance my spiritual and physical life. I write them down and review a few times a year. I am a “list” person, I write it down and cross off as I complete things. It helps to “see” the accomplishments. Whatever works for you do it; we are each unique and what works for me will probably not work for you. Find what makes you comfortable and do it.

Making goals for the coming year should not be hard. Start out with small things. If you already walk 1 day a week make it two. If you read a chapter a day in the Bible try to read it through in a year, there are so many “reading plans” that one of them will probably work in your schedule. There is also a Bible reading plan to read it through in two years.

Think outside the box. Look for opportunities in your community, school, work, and church that you can do or help with.

Here is a list that can get you started:

à       Attend a Bible study

à       Keep a thankful/grateful journal

à       Read the Bible

à       Memorize scripture to help with problems/issues

à       Volunteer

à       Encourage/help others

à       Exercise regularly

à       Pray and ask the Lord for guidance

As you look forward to next year, take a few minutes to reflect on 2014. Like most families, our family had sad and happy times this year. We suffered the sudden lost of my beloved brother-in-law, Thomas, but it drew us closer together. Cousins renewed friendships with cousins and old friends mourned with us. Everyone banded together and dropped whatever they were doing to be a help and an encouragement. We have so many happy memories of things we did with him, of this I am so thankful.

I will close with some entries, written throughout the year, from my thankful journal:

à       Protection from storm

à       Cup of tea

à       Food

à       God’s glorious creation

à       Morning sounds of birds and squirrels – I can hear

à       Mark doing well after surgery

à       Breakfast with friends

à       God’s wonderful creation

à       Kayaks

à       Family

à       Job

à       Coffee

à       Bible – daily comfort from God’s word

à       Stove – I don’t have to cook over a camp fire

à       Refrigeration – keeps my food cold

à       Winter coats

à       Ireland trip with the family – blessing and within budget

à       Neighbors – we are so blessed with great neighbors

à       Knitting

à       Annual “tea” with granddaughters

à       Beautiful sunrise – I can see

à       God’s mercy

à       Skype with grandsons

à       Children

à       God’s faithfulness

à       God’s greatness

à       God’s comfort and peace in tragedy

I could go on and on of my thankfulness to God for all He has done and will do.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: Ephesians 1:3

Start the New Year with a “goal list” and maybe a thankful journal and you will be pleasantly surprised when you review next year.

Have a blessed day,
Donna