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Twenty Sixteen -

Today is the first Sunday of the New Year.  Incredible!  Our worship leader said he did not believe in making New Year's Resolutions - because usually by day 3 - it's over, done, no longer thought about - for most people.  And then he talked about our weekly day around the Lord's table - that is where we come to resolve to make a change in our life, to ask forgiveness from our mistakes and start anew.  And I completely understand what he was saying - and completely agree.  BUT..... I will still be making some resolutions and plan to surpass the three day sprint!!  Lol!!!


My first New Year's Resolution is:  Surrender to God's Will.  I know, I know - I tend to hold tight to my plans, wanting it all to go smoothly and work out great!  (Rare to happen, right?!)  Since I live at the beach - ok, I am 25 minutes away - but closer than I have ever been!!  And I love it!!  Ooo, rabbit trail..... since I live at the beach, my hands are often playing in the sand and I am always reminded of the illustration about holding onto the handful of sand - you can't!!!  You can hold tight, but the sand still seeps out of the cracks between your fingers!  Loosen hold of your plans.  Be open and surrendered to God and He will fill our hands (and hearts) with His will and wonderful gifts of joy through living for Him.  Yes, I think I finally realize that I can either cling to my own plans until I am stressed to the max because nothing is working out like I think it should or people are failing ME...... or I can surrender to the Lord!  My prayer needs to be, always "God, not my will, but Your will be done in this situation, and this one, and this one, and this one!!!"  I want to completely empty all of my plans, my dreams, and my will.  Surrendering to God's will does not mean I do not care about what happens, but that I trust God's better judgement.  My focus does not need to be on what is going to happen or not happen, but my eyes need to be fixed on the One who is orchestrating it all!

I know that I will struggle with this.  It is hard to admit that when I am holding tight to my own plans that I am in actuality saying I have a lack of trust in God.  So I will strive to fully surrender because I know that when I completely trust God's will, my heart will be full of peaceful contentment.  And that makes me think of my grandmothers favorite hymn - "It is Well With My Soul!"








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