Thoughts for the New Year

    It's a brand new year! The beginning of each year is a great time to look back to see what we have experienced, how far we've come, and how we've grown in the last twelve months. It is also a good time to look forward and decide what to work on more in the coming year. Though I don't make resolutions, I like taking time to ask the Lord for help in specific areas.

   I wrote a prayer letter on January 1st, 2015, asking God for help and growth in various aspects of life. Over the year, I reviewed it a few times and also read it yesterday. My reading was rather anti-climactic - I still need a lot of work in those areas! Sometimes our growth as believers is slow, and I think that a year isn't always enough time to see a big difference. Despite this, I do see evidences of the Lord establishing and deepening my character. I had no way of knowing how this would be brought about, but now have the advantage of retrospect.

My first blog review, One of my first telephoto shots, My first bridesmaid experience, The resort we spent a night at in Ashland, My first day with the hammered dulcimer, Family photo the day after Christmas

   Last year I had new experiences, and also gained some exciting new material things. I was a bridesmaid for the first time, went to jury duty for the first time, and had my first job interview. In the spring I bought a telephoto lens for my camera, and in autumn my parents bought me a beautiful hammered dulcimer. I learned that sometimes God doesn't give me what I want, and sometimes He does - both are for the best. This time of life is rich with "firsts", changes, learning, and new discovery. Not all of it comes without times of frustration, but it is growth, nevertheless.

   What's in store for next year? Well, only God knows that! I can guess. I can make plans to the best of my knowledge. I can imagine things that I might want to happen. However, I know that what happens isn't ultimately up to me. Instead, I just need to remember that every day is an adventure with the One who knows and loves me best.

 Did you experience any "firsts" in 2015?

Do you set resolutions, goals, or write prayers for the new year?

P.S. Thank you to everyone who follows my blog! Your comments have meant a lot to me this past year. Blogging is truly a blessing, a challenge, and a source of fun! The relationships really make it worth it.

But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.  Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,

Colossians 3:8-10