Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.” Yet you do no know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.” But as it is you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil. Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin. James 4:13-17 NASB
Yesterday I realized that in high school, I danced to Prince’s song, 1999. The lyrics said we were going to party like it’s 1999. Then I rang in 1999. I had a severe case of the flu during that holiday season, so there wasn’t any major partying going on for me. Y2K when all kinds of crazy things were supposed to happen and didn’t. And here we are in 2020. My how time flies.
The only resolution I have made this year is not to make any resolutions. I feel that when I do, I set myself up for failure. The only thing I really want to do this year is grow in the Lord. I want to be mindful of Proverbs 3:5-6. I want to trust in the LORD with all my heart, I want to not lean on or trust in my own understanding. That hasn’t worked out so well for me in the past. And most importantly, I want to acknowledge Him in all my ways knowing that He will make my crooked paths straight.
Last night, I was thinking about the wonderful things God has done for me and provided for me through the years. He has also taught me so much and I wanted to share some of these with you. In 2004, I had a niece born under some complicating circumstances. She spent several days in the NICU at our local hospital, but with a lot of prayer, she’s smart and beautiful and I thank God for her. She accompanied me on our recent trip to New York and I am so proud of the beautiful young woman she is turning out to be. In 2007 my dad accepted Christ as his savior. I had prayed for this since I was old enough to pray. I learned to never give up when you are praying for something. In 2010, I saw God work another miracle in my life. I decided to give all things over to Him and He helped me to make some major changes in my life. I dedicated my life to Him and began this learning process. In 2011, I had a young niece born who would get sick just a couple weeks after her birth. The doctors told us that she would die or be severely neurologically damaged, but God had other plans. He answered the prayers of many and completely healed and restored her. In 2013, God got me through one of the hardest things I have ever experienced, the loss of my dad. In 2015 my mom was diagnosed with dementia, God has provided so much through this. In 2015, I also welcomed two new nephews into our family. In 2015 we also met a beautiful young lady who is due to become our daughter in law this year. In 2016, I faced a severe battle with my family and my church family. God brought me through all of this and provided encouragement each time I would be discouraged. In the midst of this battle, my mom and her live in sitter moved in with me and my husband. I learned in all of this to completely trust God. I learned that Philippians 4:13 which tells me that I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength is also true and applicable in my daily life.
In 2017, we started a new church. God has been so good to us through this. In 2018, I planned a trip to New York. I began planning this trip early in the year, by October I knew that I was not going to be able to go. You see, it was not aligned with God’s will. When I rescheduled for 2019, my mother in law, sisters in law and nieces decided to join me. It made for a wonderful trip that was enjoyed by all. God didn’t allow me to go in 2018 and I was so disappointed, but He made it so much better in 2019. When I planned the trip in 2019 I was careful any time that I spoke of the trip to say, “If the Lord is willing.”
So in 2020 my only resolution is not to make any resolutions. I have learned that I have no idea what the future holds, I only know who holds my future. So, I will trust in Him to lead and guide me. All I can say about this year, is that I will do whatever God has in store for me. It is with great anticipation that I face 2020, because whatever comes my way I know that God’s got this!
Have a great day!