Happy New Year!!!

Photo courtesy of Jill Spiker

Happy New Year ladies! 2014 has just begun and of course everyone is talking about their New Year’s resolutions.  Did you make any?  I prefer to call them “goals” myself that way I don’t feel like too much of a failure if I did not accomplish them.  I just classify it then as a “long-term” goal!

I have been reflecting back on 2013 and thinking about all the highs and lows, as I am sure most of all you have been as well.  That got me thinking about good choices and bad choices. Then I began recalling all the different choices I made not only in 2013 but 5, 10, and 20 years ago.

For example, I had a healthy salad with my soup at dinner, instead of grilled cheese like the rest of my family.  Good choice! However, later in the evening, I had a few too many scoops of hummus with my tortilla chips.  Bad choice.

How about getting married at 19 in Las Vegas to a man I hardly knew.  Very bad choice. Fast forward ten years.  After accepting Jesus as my Savior the year prior, I met and fell in love with a wonderful Christian man.  I had completely trusted God from the very beginning of the relationship. I married that man and I am happy to report that I have been married to my best friend, 9 years this coming April! Very, very good choice!

Each one of us has made poor decisions.  We all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.  But, I want to encourage you, as we start this brand new year by reminding you that you CAN make good choices!  Your past only defines you if you let it.  You DO have amazing potential.  We are continually God’s “work in progress”.  He rejoices in the good decisions that we make and forgives us of our bad.  “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 (NIV).  Remember that God can take any situation, any problem, any issue and turn it around. It might be scary or stressful.  It might break your heart and take way longer than you are comfortable with.   Hang in there!

Don’t be discouraged! The great news is you can take comfort in knowing that God is with you, He is for you, and He is in control.  God does not have bad plans for you.  “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT).  Bear in mind, that verse is true for ALL of us.  Not just the people who seem to do everything right. Not just those women who appear to have it all together.  That verse is God’s promise to you, me, your neighbor, and that lady in front of you at the store who has 20 items in the 15 or less lane.

All the while, God is covering you with His all encompassing, perfect love. Some of us forget when we get bogged down in dealing with the repercussions of our choices and some of us just don’t know, but God’s love for us is unlike any other!  “Long ago the Lord said to Israel: “I have loved you with an everlasting love.  With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.” Jeremiah 31:3 (NLT).

Start this new year off strong!  Seek God’s will for your life (Proverbs 3:5-6), pray often (1 Thessalonians 5:17), and praise Him (Psalm 150:6).  2014 will surely bring ups and downs but never lose sight of who you are…  You are a daughter of the one true King!