2023 has come to an end, and I look back with gratitude for all that we learned about God through all that we lost.
It was not an easy year, by any stretch of the imagination. There were many hard lessons and many tears. Even now I sit here wondering what comes next, as I personally do not know, only God does.
What I can say is, that it was a year that exposed the areas of my heart, my marriage and my family that needed a complete overhaul, the type that only Jesus can bring forth in all of us.
I wish so many things were different as I sit in this motel room, wondering where out next meal will come from, or where we will sleep tonight, yet I have learned that what looks completely impossible to me, is possible for God.
We checked into this motel for 2 nights, a week ago, and if this is the end of us in this place, I am glad that I was here for as long as I was for it taught me that I truly do have more than some, thought not quite as much as others, and we were in a unique position to be able to help those who did not have as much as we do.
I have experienced the kindness of strangers, and have been able to bless others as well. I should not ask for more than that, and I truly can’t complain. For better or worse, there has been a roof over my head and some food on my table, and for that I am grateful.
I look forward to a day when I can better help those in the homeless community, there are so many people struggling, and now that I have a much better understanding of where the deficiencies in the assistance programs are. There is so much room for improvement, we can all do a better job taking care of each other.
I may be struggling today, but I also know that I have been blessed beyond belief, and this is not the end for me.
No matter where this day leads, and how 2024 has started, God is with me. God has been with me. He has opened some doors and closed others and has met many of my needs every step of the way. I need not let my feelings get in the way, I need never forget who God is and all that He has done for us.
I look forward to the shift that I know is coming, no matter how long it may take, because the God who created the heavens and the earth, is taking care of me, much like He did the Israelites in the wilderness. One day at a time, one step at a time. That level of intimacy that can not and should not be dismissed. It’s personal in a way we do not deserve, and it’s the choice God made.
Obedience to God is what lead us here and I am thankful for the opportunity to face my fears and realize that my God is bigger, and I need not fear. If I could go back, and do it all over again, knowing all that I now know, I would chose Him all over again, because this has been an incredibly eye opening and humbling experience. I can truly say that I am blessed.
Thank You, Jesus. Thank You!
“We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed.
We are perplexed, but not driven to despair.
We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God.
We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.
Through suffering, our bodies continue to share
in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus
may also be seen in our bodies.
Yes, we live under constant danger of death
because we serve Jesus,
so that the life of Jesus will be evident in
our dying bodies. So we live in the face of death,
but this has resulted in eternal life for you.”
2 Corinthians 4:8-12 NLT
Psalms 73 