(I’m intentionally keeping today’s blog and song quite short because it’s New Year’s Eve and well, you and I might have other important things to do…like cheer for my Ohio State Buckeyes in the CFP quarterfinals!)
But I just had to share the fortune I recently received in my cookie:
Yeah, I bet it will. And so will February, March, April, May…and every other month. Finally, a fortune that is absolutely 100% accurate!
I love the idea of spiritual growth and am so excited about my ladies’ Bible study beginning to study the Letter to the Romans next week. When I teach little kids at Refuge Church each Sunday morning, I find myself learning right along with them. Reading God’s Word, singing praises to the Lord and hearing messages of truth are all favorite ways to stretch my faith, BUT…
I must admit that I’m not as excited about other possible avenues for spiritual growth.
Heartaches, disappointments, betrayals, losses–the list is endless. So many difficult situations in which we find ourselves or our loved ones.
Here’s the kind of prayer I have uttered in my darkest days: Lord, I do not understand why this is happening. The pain feels more than I can bear and I can’t see how I’m going to get through it. There’s nothing good that I can imagine coming from this..BUT I choose to trust You even when it doesn’t make sense. And I choose to believe in Your love even though I can’t feel it.
Yes, January will bring you–and me–opportunities (some happy and some sad) for spiritual growth. I pray I will:
(Happy New Year and GO BUCKS!!!)
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Please open the video in your browser to be encouraged by the acapella group Bliss Zimbabwe singing “Trials Make You Grow.” (3¼ min. long)
I’m a newspaper reporter-turned-author. And I’m a passionate encourager, but always a truth-teller. I worked for nearly two decades in a unique position as a patient advocate in my oncologist’s office and the Cancer Prayer Support Group I founded in 1991 is the country’s oldest such faith-based group.
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So true Lynn. As my husband nears the end of his leukemia journey and will leave my arms for Jesus’s arms sometime this coming year I know all too well the whys and the heartaches – but also the growth and the nearness of Jesus even in my darkest moments. It has made us intentional, and we learned how to make the most of every day and every moment. I met you and your husband in Stuart, Florida when you spoke at an event that Diane Benfield put on. Two of your books the green one and the one on peace were wonderful reads as we shared them together. Thank you for your lifelong commitment to helping those of us who have to walk the hard road of cancer. May your new year be filled with Jesus joy.
Author
Dear Paris,
I was looking through my website and saw I had SEVEN comments to which I had not responded! I usually get an email telling me there’s a comment. but didn’t receive one for any of these. My webmaster has been working on my site and must have changed something. I’m so sorry to have missed seeing this earlier.
I do remember meeting you in Stuart and I’m so sad for you that your husband’s earthly journey is nearing the end (or maybe has come?) I’m so thankful the Lord used some of my books to encourage you–He is so faithful.
May your year also be filled with Jesus joy–no matter what life brings.
In Him,
Lynn
Thank you so much for this very beautiful song! I think sometimes it’s only in the looking back that we see our growth.
Cordelia
Author
Dear Cordelia,
I was looking through my website and saw I had SEVEN comments to which I had not responded! I usually get an email telling me there’s a comment. but didn’t receive one for any of these. My webmaster has been working on my site and must have changed something. I’m so sorry to have missed seeing this earlier.
I think that is so true. Hindsight often gives us the true perspective.
Gratefully yours,
Lynn