I like the word "meditations" so much better than "resolutions." I remember when I used to make resolutions and I actually wrote them down. Too many failures later, I abandoned that.
I did find myself meditating this year. It's been a long time since the stroke of 12:01 a.m. on January 1st mattered to me or moved me at all. But this year it feels different.
Rob and I find ourselves in circumstances we never thought we'd be in. He's unemployed and unemployable right now. Because of the seriousness of the injury he received in November, at work, and the surgery required to repair his shoulder, we don't know when he'll even be able to look for work again. Income is very touch and go, and not nearly enough. So we know we're facing some major lifestyle changes.
My one wish, the only one I'd need to see fulfilled to feel that this new year was productive, would be that God show me how to accept the changes gracefully, without fear and without complaint. That's all I pray for right now.
I've thought on many things, of course. I really want to be less stressed and more supportive of Rob and what he's going through. I want to smile more. I don't function well when everything is uncertain. I like my life nice and neat and predictable. So avoiding stress and the temptation to take it out on the people around me is a huge, huge goal.
If I can accomplish this one thing, then all the other events that are happening in this new year will fall into place.
My goal for this new year is singular. I want to remember this constantly:
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
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My two favorite verses that I want to share with you:
"Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowldge him, and he will make your paths straight."
Proverbs 3:5-6
"Draw Near to God and He will draw near to you."
James 4:8
I am praying for you.
xoxo
Susan
You should put that verse right below your picture here in the blog, for you to read daily =)
I am praying for you, uncertainty is such a difficult time in anyone's life, but dealing with surgery and pain at the same time compounds it. But I know the Lord is in the midst of it all, sometimes we don't see the road, but He does.
Thank you so much for writing this out. Come back to it when you feel the world beating you down.
Blessings sweet friend.
I hope and pray that all works out and that it doesn't drive you crazy in the meantime. I'm like you. I like my life all nice and neat. I know it can't always be that way and that these bumps in the road help to strengthen our love and committment to God and to each other. I can see that when I'm on the other side of the bump, it's when I'm on top of it that I forget and stress myself beyond belief and take it out on those around me. I wish you a joyous and stress free New Year and you and Rob will be in my prayers.
Congrats on your Sweet Scent award! You know you deserve it!
Like you, most women abhor change which translates to us as insecurity...I can so relate to your stress...and do not know how I would handle such a situation...know that I am holding you and Rob before the Lord who seeks to see His Son formed in us, fulfilling Jer. 29:11 in the process...
I am so much the same way, Barb...uncertainty is so hard for me. I guess that's when I lean in and am "forced" to trust more...just like you're doing.
I'll be praying for you and Rob this month.
Oh, and congratulations on the Sweet Scent award, Barb!!! :D
(I posted a New Year's Meditation also.)
God bless you in the New Year!
~Tammy
http://familydoins.blogspot.com/
This scripture was written down for me by a friend who died of breast cancer it will be 11 years ago this month. I love this scripture and framed it hanging it in our office...she was such a huge part of my life. You know we take so much for granted...and forget the blessings. I wish you all the peace...and love this year that you so well deserve. The scripture means the world to me, thanks.
Oh Barb. I'm so sorry that things are hard right now.
You're in my prayers - and I hope that all of your prayers are answered.
It's so difficult to feel peaceful and calm during uncertain times. I can offer you prayers. I can also offer the encouragement that I know without a doubt the Jesus goes WITH us through these times. He doesn't just say "lean on my promises and I'll meet you on the other side." He goes every step of the way with us.
Just over a year ago I was dealing with a work related injury. As difficult as it was to go through it has been amazing to look back, 99% recovered, and see how God had been preparing me for something better. Hopefully this time next year you will be able to look back and see clearly how God has been at work in this. Until then you will both be in my prayers.
Hope. It's all we have. And you continue to inspire me.
I admit that, at the moment, I am overwhelmed and losing my sense of humor and purpose- in that order. And that is not a great thing for anyone around me right now.
I'll cling to the hope that there is a plan. That everything will work together for good as God promises.
Hope.
Barb: You are so open and honest. May we all say that prayer so that we may all have that grace to go through what God would require of us so that we may become the kind of people He is trying to mold. Praying for you guys, my friend!
Barb -
Today I wrote your names (you and Rob) in my Prayer Planner. I will pray for you and the situation looming before you. I know God has an incredible plan and I am anxiously waiting to see how He lays it all out for you.
Every year I pick a verse to memorize and meditate on for the 12 months. I think this verse in Jeremiah is a powerful one to adopt for your 2007 verse! So glad He gives us HOPE!
Blessings on you today!
Barb: You are so open and honest. May we all say that prayer so that we may all have that grace to go through what God would require of us so that we may become the kind of people He is trying to mold. Praying for you guys, my friend!
I hope you know that there are many of us out there who will stand beside you whether you are cheerful or sad..or downright into pity party mode ;) I just added you to my prayer list...it's not so much the power of prayer however, but the powerful God we serve. Perhaps today would be a great day to start reading Philippians. "For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need" Philippians 4:13
He DOES know the plans, and they are plans for you two to prosper. Don and I are faithfully praying for you two every day as you wait to see what He has in store for you. Change is hard, just plain hard, but sometimes on the other side of it, I can see that He had the better plan, and He had some changes to get me to where He wanted me to be. xoxoxo Bev
Change is so difficult, but apparently, oh so necessary. I continue to pray for you and your family. You are such a special person and I know you will handle anything with grace and strength. You show that in your posts...even when you're honest about being weak, it shows you know your strength is in the Lord.
You know just how much I am trusting in the same words, Barb. We are on a pathway that He has planned for us, that we never anticipated. Walk with faith and trust. And a smile, for He has great plans!
That is beautifully put Barb. I prayed for Rob this morning. The Lord continues to bring both of you to mind. He loves you dearly and does have a plan. I know how hard it is not to "know". I,too, like my life to be all neatly laid out and within my control. Perhaps the Lord is doing a great work in all of us. Perhaps He simply wants us to believe He is who he says He is and that He will do what He has promised to do.
I'm praying.
Barb, I can understand your uncertainty and fears. During a most difficult time of my life I leaned on this scripture "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding". Proverbs 3:5. If you can completely trust Him "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28. I know that one day you will reflect back to this time and realize just how much He was working in your lives.
Will keep you in our prayers.
Barb, there is nothing I can say that hasn't already been said, but know that you and Rob are in my prayers. I once heard someone say true faith is trusting God's heart when you can't see his hand.
Oh Barb. I'm just thinking of the song, "Held" by Natalie Grant.
When trials and hurts come, when things just don't make sense, the Lords holds us close to His heart. Things aren't always solved the way we want them to be, but HE is ALWAYS there WITH us.
I pray that you will feel God holding you close.
That sounds like a very good goal to me!!!
Hi Barb! I am sorry you are going through this right now! May God Bless you BIG this new year! I know he will!!!I am praying for you! I think you are wonderful! Happy New Year!
Barb, perhaps if your circumstances were more ideal, you wouldn't have had such a marvelous opportunity to be that Sweet Scent to so many of us. I know that doesn't make it easier, but maybe it will reveal purpose in all the uncertainty. I'm blessed by your spirit in the midst of the storms...may you be blessed by knowing that you are investing in the eternal.
Gosh Barb sounds like our meditation for this year is the same! If I got a dime for everytime I said that verse this weekend I'd be rich.
What you said about your wish for God to show you how to accept changes gracefully I think many of us can relate to and need in our lives. I need to be less stressed too...I worry too much about the small things and need to learn how to let them go.
Praying for both of you! I know how hard it is to be upbeat in uncertain times..
:)
Faithful is He. He will not suffer His children to be without food or rainment. He cares for you, and I genuinely believe He will accomplish something extraordinary from this trying circumstance. I'm praying you will see it and know it and be truly thankful for it...
I like my life not to be uncertain so having my hubby in Iraq does not help, but I know I also need to accept that God has a plan for me. I pray that Rob recovers quickly and that things become more certain for you in the months to come. One thing I am beginning to realize in this life is that no matter how much I get my life the way I want it, there is always some type of monkey wrench thrown in along the way. i guess this is just living. So I guess we will both have to try to accept what the Lord has for our futures even though at the moment nothing seems certain.
A worthy goal, and I know it won't be easy. You have my prayers: "Lord, show Barb and Rob your presence. Guide them in their choices so that they will be walking right with you. Give them both the peace that surpasses all understanding, and may they endure this trial with a smile and with faith. Lastly, provide financially for them in ways that they can't even imagine. In Jesus' name, Amen."
Well, since I am Catholic, and this base hasn't been covered yet, I am going to be asking Mother Mary to petition her son on behalf of your sweet motherly heart. That you may be given every grace in abundance and that you may be at peace with the hope He has instore for you.
Barb, I will join in on your prayer. I love that you mentioned "supporting Rob" through this challenging time. He probably needs our prayers even more than you. Men get so much of their worth through providing for their wives and family. My suggestion would be to give him all the love and respect you can. Let him know each and every day how much his faithfullness and support over the years has meant to you. Believing and appreciating our husbands can be our greatest gift. Thank you for sharing with your blogging family. Love ya Girl!
First, I wanted to tell you that I am blessed to have found your blog. I found you as a fellow nominee for CWO:) and have added you to my blogroll because I think that you are wonderful.
I am sorry that you are having a hard time. I will say a prayer for you also, for I feel touched that you have shared what you are going through. Just believe in God, that He wants the best for you and your husband-even when we don't know what the best is.
Love in Christ,
~Candi (Homekeeper at Heart)
Barb,
I will be praying for you. I am sure it was hard to be so real with your post, but I am sure everyone is more thoughtful because of your transparancy.
blessings,
Jenny in Ca
About 10 years ago, when I was going through a difficult time, I claimed Jeremiah 29:11-13 as my "special" verses for that time. Those verses are still very dear to me and are my favorite verses. I look at them often. Just keep looking to the Lord, "He will never leave you nor forsake you." This too shall pass, and when you come out the other side, you'll be a much better person because of it.
I'm so sorry for your husband's injury and the problems it is causing. Uncertainty can bring so much fear and stress. I pray you will find comfort and strength as you lean on the Lord.
Jeremiah 29: 11-13 is my personal scripture that I often recite to myself and it is so true and God is so faithful. It is also our camps "motto" scripture. Wonderful.
God will surely bless you amazingly, abundantly this coming year.
Praying for both of you
Focus on God and what you do have
Praying that as you trust God in 2007 uncertainty is replaced with certainty--that God really does have it all in control. May you feel Him hold you closely this year (and may healing and restoration come quickly for your DH).
Barb, my heart goes out to you both. Just try to take it one step at a time. That awful feeling of being in limbo is just too much to face right now. For the time being, just concentrate on the fact that God is in control and Rob is going to have a sucessful surgery and yes it will be a long hard road but you have oodles of people out here who really care and are praying for the very best! You are a wonderful, caring, kind and compassionate friend. Your husband is so blessed to have you in his life! God be willing he will heal quickly and be golfing in no time! ((hugs and prayers))
As a new reader to your blog, I want you to know that you really touched me. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
That is one of my very favorite verses. It sounds like we handle crises very much the same. It's a hard way to be, so I appreciate your insight on what to pray for to make things a little easier. We had a rough 2006 work-wise, so I am certainly praying for that to be better this year. I will add you & Rob to that, too.
So true and such a great reminder for me too! It is always nice when God lets us feel like everything is in our control and predictable but 2006 was quite the opposite for us here too.
You and your family will be in our prayers during this time, praying for you to accept the changes God has planned.
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