Sunday, January 1, 2017

A Blog, A Birthday and a New Beginning

It was last year this time that I began writing a blog. I disciplined myself to write once a week for 52 weeks. I have learned a lot during this year. Some weeks the blog posts were easy and some were more difficult to write. I was surprised with how ideas would come to my mind. This was the work of the Holy Spirit as I learned to listen to Him. Some topics were too big for a blog. Some were too sensitive. There were some that were personal, but as long as it only pertained to me that was okay. It is in our personal journeys that we learn life lessons and it is a privilege to share those lessons. It was a revelation to me that a lot of my blog posts turned evangelical. It is of utmost importance that I share what Jesus has done for me and prayerfully write so others may know Jesus as their Savior too.

Ever since December 31, 1948 I have ended every year with a bang! This is my birth date. Every day is a gift but especially after a cancer diagnosis. I am so thankful to be a breast cancer survivor since 1992. I was 60 years old before I had my first birthday party, thanks to my husband and with the help of our oldest daughter, Penny. In the last few years our family has gathered on New Year's Eve to eat homemade pizza, crab legs, shrimp and to play games. So it is a party atmosphere and there are a few birthday gifts too! Being together with family is one of the best gifts. It is hard to believe I am now 68 years old. I am thankful to be very active, in good health and sound mind. (I know my children will laugh at that one!) I am thankful to have a circle of close friends and a larger circle of good friends. I am a blessed woman. I am also grateful that God has blessed me with a caring heart and I find it rewarding to reach out to others in leading small group Bible studies and mentoring women.

It is at this time of year that some people make New Year's Resolutions. Even if we don't, I think many of us look ahead and ponder what we want to accomplish, what we want to see happen, and what we want to do in the new year. And most of us want to do something better in the new year than in the past year. Some things I have heard people comment on is: to read their Bible more or to read it through in one year; to journal; to lose weight and exercise more; to eat more healthy; to be kinder and more thoughtful; to volunteer and/or give more.

Every year is a new beginning. It is like closing one door and walking through a new door. Or turning over another leaf in a book or even closing one book and picking up another one. But this book doesn't have anything written on its pages. It is up to us to write on these pages. But we don't necessarily have to write with pen and ink. We simply write the continuing story of our life.

This year I am not sure if I will continue to write a blog post every week. I want to read more and I have found that in writing weekly, I am reading less. So if I get inspired to write, I will write! And perhaps in reading more I will be inspired more. Who knows? We will see. And I would like to write more vulnerably. This can be painful but productive. So if you are a praying friend, you can pray that the Holy Spirit will give me the insights, words and the courage to share my heart.

The best way for you to begin a new year is with Jesus. If you don't know Jesus as your Savior, today is the best day to invite Him into your heart, ask for forgiveness of sins and determine to live for Him every day. If you do know Jesus, He is with you always, ready to guide, comfort and help you through the storms of life. Have a Happy New Year with Jesus!

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