Goodbye 2013...Hello 2014!

If you have been a reader for any length of time during 2013 you know this year was one big struggle for our family.   We had to overcome so any obstacles throughout the year.  We pushed through and did make it to the end.  Never have I been so happy to have it all behind us.  The year had taken my joy away.  I spent most of the year feeling sorry for myself and my family.  I struggled through many dark days where I could not get out of bed.  I cried out to God wondering if he was in fact still there.  I felt so alone. 

I found myself seeking God more and more as the trials came my way.  What was He trying to show me?  I really found comfort while reading the Psalms.  One of my lowest days I read Psalm 13.

How long, O LORD? Will You forget me

forever?

How long will You hide Your face from me?

 

How long shall I take counsel in my soul,

Having sorrow in my heart daily?

How long will my enemy be exalted over me?

 

Consider and hear me, O LORD my God;

Enlighten my eyes,

Lest I sleep the sleep of death;

Lest my enemy say,

I have prevailed against him;

Lest those who trouble me rejoice when I

am moved.

 

But I have trusted in Your mercy;

My heart shall rejoice in Your

salvation.

I will sing to the LORD,

Because He has dealt bountifully with me.

 

I had turned away from God.  I was so focused on what I didn't have I was missing what was in front of me.  I was not seeking God.  Every trial I endured this year was a test.  It's something God uses to stretch and grow me.  Like I mentioned above I often felt alone, like God wasn't answering my cries to Him.  But you know what?  The teacher is always quiet during the test!

 

I cannot say I passed the test that God had given me this year.  But I have grown a great deal the past year.  It was more of a 2 steps forward 5 steps back.  The great thing about God is He doesn't look back, He looks forward.  It's what I do from here on out that will show the growth.  I will probably never know why He allowed the horrible things to happen this year.  What I do know is He loves me unconditionally!!

 

So here we are embarking on a new year.  A new book to be written.  I have been seeing all over the internet people picking a word for the year.  I thought that was a great way to keep focused on something in the hard times.

 

So the word I picked for 2014 is....

 

JOY!

 

My key verse for the year is:





You will show me the path of life,

in Your presence is fullness of joy;

at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

 

Psalm 16:11

 

So what exactly is joy?  Does this mean you will be happy all the time?  Tomorrow I will explore what the bible says about joy.

 

So do you pick a word to focus on in the new year?  What is it?  How do you keep focused on the word?