RGT-New Year
As the year dwindles, my heart swells. All of these blessings that God promises are mine to hold onto:

“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you;
he will never leave you nor forsake you”

“The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?”

“For you have been my hope, Sovereign LORD,
my confidence since my youth.”

“When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.”

In the middle of the night, with a crying baby, that sleep promise is especially comforting.

God names them one by one:

  • Companionship
  • Salvation
  • Hope
  • Rest

But what if you had a really hard year? What if hearts were hurt and relationships damaged? What if you cannot feel any comfort when you think back on this past year? What if the only resolution you can make is to survive 2014?

This world will bring heartache. Sin will bring consequences. Circumstances will bring pain. Only when we are home in our eternal palace of heaven will we be totally free from the darkness that can set in through the Enemy.

But, when you do focus on the blessings, when you do see the little things as mattering, when you can call them one by one as the Holy Spirit leads, your heart will become focused on the light of His grace, and the things of this world will grow strangely dim.

Daily blessings that we take for granted are often forgotten. Let us this year — as we plan for change or dream of brave new hope — also praise Him:

Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. ~ Psalm 68:19

May we give thanks for:

  • the intricate delicate workings of the lungs that silently give us breath
  • the symphony of clanging pots or clicking legos as the music of a mama
  • the order of the seasons and our days, so we may ready ourselves with expectation
  • the light of morning, the whispers of twinkles at night
  • the refreshment that sleep brings
  • the joy of flavor and color to create fruits and vegetables that nourish our bodies

These little things matter. These things God gives because He loves us. He is constant day by day. Generation by generation.

How great are his signs, how powerful his wonders! His kingdom will last forever, his rule through all generations. ~ Daniel 4:3

Le’s grab hands and go forward and may we pass this truth on together.

Happy New Year!

Angie RygAngie Ryg

Angie has been described as the “fun sister next door.” And like a real sister, she will make you laugh as well as encourage you to drink deeper from the well of God’s grace. Her book Clutter Free Simplicity encourages women to clear the clutter in their hearts and homes by focusing on what is really important — their daily walk with Jesus. One of Angie’s most important ministries is being a wife to her childhood sweetheart and mama to one princess and three princes. They enjoy family movie nights, long car trips, and acting out the TV show Chopped.

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