My New Year's Wish

Ok, I have said it myself at least 50 times in the last 24 hours.  Happy New Year.  But when I stop and think about it, that's not really what I want to wish for you.  Not that I want you to have an Unhappy New Year, but I wish this year to bring you (and me):

Difficult Days:  that will develop your perseverance in a world that seeks ease.

Hard Decisions:  that will cause you to live your true values and be a role model for those around you.

Desperate Situations:  that will keep you dependent on God and leave no room for self sufficiency. 

but that's not all I would wish.  

Along with those, I would wish you:

Unprecedented Vision:  eyes to see opportunities that the Creator puts in your path to cause your life to make a difference every day.

Unlimited Courage:  the boldness to go after that life on a new level because a vision without the courage to act on it is misery.  

Perfect Peace:  in a world of uncertainty and fear, may your life be marked by the "peace that passes understanding" that only our Lord has the ability to give.

I suppose what I really would like to wish you is Joy.  Joy is a deep contentment and inward rejoicing in knowing that regardless of the outward situation or emotion of the moment, our God is not only in control, but actively ordering the steps of your life.

What if we had that kind of year?  Can you imagine the excitement in our lives? There will be some hard and painful days. But few things of value come easily.  I have never heard anyone who had exercised and dieted and lost 50 pounds say that in retrospect, it was just too hard.  No one wishes that they hadn't put out the effort, dealt with the pain, and developed the control to lose the weight.  It is hard.  It is painful.  But, it's worth it! 

Let's live a year that's worth it!

I wish you a Joyful New Year!