I hope your Christmas time with family and friends was wonderful AND amazing. By the way, have you been eating as much as I have? Are you hanging out with friends at all times of the night, because you don't have to go to work or school? Are you binge watching your favorite shows? Did you make Christmas cookies? See, I knew we had a lot in common. You know I have done these December diaries over the past few weeks with a side of humor, but don't underestimate the fact that I know that Jesus has and will always be the reason for the season. Which brings me to the steadily approaching 2018 new year...
What can I say other than I have decided that I will not be approaching my new year with resolutions. Instead, I have a roadmap of what I need to do as I trust God during 2018. After all, the Bible tells us that faith without works is dead (James 2:14). This past year was extremely busy for me, and I don't want to always be busy doing the next task at hand, but I want to be busy enjoying my minutes, hours, days, and weeks with things I want to do that make me happy. I have decided it's time to upgrade my life, and I intend to do it. God has given me an even deeper look at His purpose for my life. My heart is refreshed, and I have renewed my commitment to continue to allow God to have full access to every aspect of my life so that He can do what He needs to do. I want God to make me an even better person that He can use to continue to build His Kingdom. I always desire to be a kingdom builder!
This is a little off topic, but it's a perfect opportunity as 2017 ends. I know I don't say this a lot, because I don't want to seem as though I'm bragging but THANK YOU for visiting my website and for giving me feedback and comments. Over this past year, we have been averaging more than a few thousand visits each and every single week. I am honored that God allows me this opportunity to speak into the lives of so many people. I also appreciate the encouragement that you give me too. You just don't know that sometimes the arrival of one of your emails or comments has lifted me on more than one occasion. So thank you, thank you, thank you for sticking with me and for your word of mouth that draws new people in. I'm GRATEFUL...
As I conclude this 2017 year with you, I pray that God blows a new season of redemption your way. I want you to know that memories are important, but they are not the end of your life story. God can redeem what you may have lost, His redemption is not for the purposes of slowing you down and making you feel sad for what you may have lost, BUT to redeem you and to bless you with a future. I know that you want to move into your future. I pray that you will allow God to show you there is so much more to your time on this earth than what you have lost. Jesus has shown us the pathway to redemption, and I know you deserve every good and perfect thing from above that God wants to give you. It's very possible in 2018 that your life can be even more fulfilled. It is possible that this time next year what you have been praying for would have multiplied a 100-fold. Don't just talk about doing something you want to do or have good intentions of doing something, but put action behind it. I believe in you, and I know that you are a person of action. Be safe, make wise decisions, always, always follow Jesus, and have a very HAPPY 2018 NEW YEAR.