Reflections of 2010

"What's in store for 2010? In many ways, its time to begin all over again.
Forgetting the past, and looking ahead is the way to experience God's Word as He's said.
If you'll dig into His Word like never before, you'll find yourself standing on a brand new shore.
It's a land of plenty where you'll experience no lack - and even things that have been misplaced in your life will find their way back."

This is part of the prophesy the Lord gave my Pastor at the beginning of 2010 (all that I could remember). As I went through the hardest year of my life so far, especially these last 6 months, I found myself wondering how this prophesy could possibly be true. 

The more I wondered, the more I prayed about it.  While praying and reflecting on the past year, I realized that in order for me to walk out God's personal plan for my life, I had to get rid of several things. 
I had to get rid of my pride before I was willing to apply for a job. 
I had to get rid of my apartment before I could get a house. 
I had to get rid of my van before I would believe God for a new one.
I had to get rid of self pity before I would ask for help.
I had to get rid of bitterness and spitefulness before I could forgive and have peace.
I had to lose everything I take advantage of before I knew how grateful I should be.
And, I think most important, I had to get rid of my independence before I could become totally dependent on God.

Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." NLT
So, after losing all these things, I'd definitely say that 2010 was "in many ways time to begin all over again".  And now that all that hardship is over (PRAISE GOD), I am absolutely forgetting the past and looking ahead.  I'm digging deeper and deeper into the Word of God and striving to daily walk out His will for my life.  His will is so far greater than anything I could possibly plan for myself anyway! I just needed to humble myself and let Him take over!  2 Corinthians 9:8 says, "And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation]."  He wants to take care of us, but we have to let Him in!


I now am in a land of plenty - in a nice house with my bills paid in full for 3 months while I start my dream job as a Lead Teacher of 2 yr olds in a Christian Preschool!  My car is getting fixed, and I'm believing God for a nicer, bigger, newer one!  I have amazing peace and joy and the best friend and sisters in the world who have stood by me every step of the way this year - rejoicing with me through the trials knowing that the testing of my faith produces endurance and patience and that when patience has its perfect work, we'll be complete - wanting nothing! (James 1:2-4)


My home was "misplaced" when I got evicted in May and again in November. I now have an even better, more beautiful home - the best I've ever had!  My finances were "misplaced" when my jewelry business failed and my student loans (that I had been using to live off of for the previous 4 years) ran out.  I now have a job that will lead me into the career God has planned for me - a new beginning that will replace my "misplaced" income.  Even my son has had many new beginnings in 2010.  


It's been a long, hard road, but together with my family in Christ we have over come!  
Romans 8: 35-39 "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Psalm 27:10 "When my father and my mother (or aunt) forsake me, the Lord will take care of me."

Praise God for His goodness, loving kindness, mercy and never-failing love!  I'm looking forward to an abundant 2011!