New Year...New Hope

Dear, Sweet Mid-Morning Friends...

This is my last chance to write you before we head into 2014, and I have a few things I'd love to share as some parting words to 2013.

* Some of you reading this had amazing years in 2013. And yet some of you might feel kind of guilty celebrating that joy, because you know others are hurting, or worse, others have tried to silence your joy because of their own hurt. To you, I say, REJOICE in the beauty of the year drawing to a close. What a blessing to the soul these seasons of joy are, and God has just gifted you with one. It's OKAY to celebrate what He has done and it is OKAY to publicly praise His name in thankfulness for this goodness. Close out this year with a full heart, brimming over and rejoice in this day...this month...this year He has made. Be glad in it!
* Some of you reading this had devastating years in 2013. Whether it was a health crisis, a job loss, the death of someone you held dear...it's been a tough year and in all truth, you're glad to see this one go and you HOPE 2014 brings something better. To you, I offer the biggest blog-hug I can and I would sit beside you to cry with you if I could. I've had some hard years - the kind that make it hard, if not impossible - to even breathe because the heart-pain is so very intense. To you, I say that even though it may feel like it...God has not forgotten you or turned His back on you. I don't know why this season is here or why it has to hurt so much, but lean in to Him. He can grow and mold you even in the hard time. Cast your anxiety, your hurt, your burdens on Him. He cares and loves you!

* Some of you reading this are anxious right now because of the unknown. Maybe some of you are anxious for the birth of a little one and you aren't sure if things will be okay. Maybe some of you are in the beginning stages of a health journey and you don't even know what's coming your way or if you have the strength to make the journey. Maybe some of you know changes are coming - where you live, where you work, your marriage, your parenting - but you aren't sure what it will look like and that uncertainty is about to undo you. To you, I say trust Him. And before you say back to me, "That's a trite answer," I will add...sometimes it's really hard to trust. In those moments for my own life, I've lifted my hands up and said "I choose to trust you." Sometimes I wasn't sure how much I meant it and sometimes I didn't want to mean it at all, but I made the words come out of my mouth audibly and with enough determination and repetition, I began to believe it and my trust GREW. He is faithful and will be faithful to you.

* Some of you reading this just want a do-over. Maybe you've made poor choices. Maybe you think there's no way to fix whatever's gone wrong. To you I say...you might not be able to escape the natural consequences that have come about because of your choices, but in NO WAY should you think God can't give you a fresh start. There's no better time than right now to fall before the Lord in repentance, confess your sin, and ask God for a new chance. And the next time the choice comes along - choose to walk in obedience. You can't change the past, but you can certainly make new choices in the future.

Lynne and I love you all so much. It's a joy to serve you every day - and we love sharing life with you. We are looking forward to a new year and a continued chance to serve in 2014!