We stole the phrase "The sisterhood." My three friends, Kim, Crystal, Sarah and I have been through loss, transition, moving, relationship troubles, and lots of spiritual growth over the past three plus years of our shared friendship. We've rung in the new year together since 2006 (well, Sarah joined us a year late)...and this year was no exception. However, we've begun a new tradition over this past year that has proved challenging, changing, and encouraging. It's worth sharing, for sure!
At the beginning of 2008 we each shared and recorded each others goals for the year in five catagories: Physical/Health, Financial/Stewardship, Spiritual/Ministry, Friends/Family, and Work/School. We met again six months later to go over our goals, update, evaluate where we were, and encourage each other in our slacker areas! It's been a great year of change, challenge, travel :) and growth for me personally. But the greatest blessings have been to look back and see where the Lord has changed Sarah's direction (she landed at FSU?!), provided a need (mentors for all three of my friends!), taken away relationships, and brought some new ones, all the while, growing our trust and dependence on one another, and most importantly on Jesus Christ, the Author and Finisher of our faith.
This year, as I review the goals I've set, I am reminded of the verses I stood on as a high school senior: Proverbs 16:9 "The mind of a man plans his way but the Lord directs his steps." And Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord...to prosper you and not to harm you...to give you a future and a hope."
I have a lot of hopes for this new year. I want to find rest in Christ alone instead of striving to do, be, serve, and accomplish. Though this past year was very enjoyable, with lots of travel, time with friends and family, and lot of answered prayers for family members and friends, there were times this year that I tried to fit things together that didn't fit...to serve where God hadn't provided opportunity, to pursue relationships God didn't allow to prosper, to get involved with ministries that didn't necessarily have a place for me. There were a number of closed doors, confused prayers, and standing still when I thought I should be running!
But this year, I want to be convinced that I am serving out of obedience and not just desire. I want to know where He is leading me and be confident of His calling. I want to bring Him glory in small acts of obedience at work, in big acts of faith in trusting Him to open the door for medical missions, and even in buying a house if He provides in that area.
Mostly, I just want to know Him more and grasp more fully the depth of His love for us, so that I can truly show love to the people I see every day.
