Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand............Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand! Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Ephesians: 6: 10, 13-18
This year, the Lord has taught us many things......and if anything He has taught us to STAND! To stand with the full armor of God and with that I make this end of the year prayer.
Oh, Dear Lord,
When this year began, we thought Russell's dad would be gone by now....he's here. We saw our brother in law retire, a few motorhome trips, many, many doctor trips, a scare with Russell's lungs, faced breast cancer with Russell's mom, watched our children grow and change....Paul started seeing his children more (our grandchildren), David doing well with his job, an anniversary for Tommy and Claudia, Matt's pharmacy school coating.
March a brother had a birthday. Thank you for brothers and sisters.
May brought a family wedding, births in our church. A sister's birthday...
June saw papa and mema's 59th anniversary! You allowed them another year together. A nephew turned 21. Ashley turned 15 and Adam 11....thank you for allowing me to be their nana....
July you allowed us a wonderful visit with Ashley and Adam and I turned 55! A brother had a birthday too!
August came and Russell turned 56 and I was ever so thankful for another year of life for my dear husband. Paul and David and Maria all had birthdays this month, along with a niece. Another brother's birthday.
September saw Katie's engagement, oh such joy! And always, there is sadness mingled with joy. Mama began to have a few problems and calls started coming in from the retirement center. Even one as I was in Disney Word with my sister, cousin and friends. But you comforted us through all. Another sister's birthday....Debbie turns 51!
October brought such sadness. Our dear friend and the mother of my dear friend, Carol, went to be with the Lord after a long struggle with illness. We stood together, many of us, to feel your comfort with that family. Mama started some regular doctor appointments that were not so much fun for her or me.
November brought two weddings! Both close friends! Also a very special 12th anniversary for Russell and me, and a Thanksgiving trip to Russell's sister's in North Carolina......one we never really expected papa to make! Thank you! Then a sudden shock, mama fell and was in the hospital, then rehab. Finally back home! Thank you!
December brought news that papa's cancer had not grown since July and that he's stable. We had another Christmas with him and he continues to do well. Thank you!
After the sadness of death, my friend's grandson was engaged! Thank you so much for mingling sadness with joy. Tears with laughter.....and most of all for the birth
of a baby in Bethlehem, long prophesied to come.....our Savior Jesus Christ! Thank you that you are Truth, that your Son laid aside His glory to come to earth and die for us......for the Grace you gave at such a high cost.
Oh, Lord you taught us that we know nothing....that you hold our lives in the palm of your hand and our names are engraved there! You taught us to believe you in Scripture when you said "I know the plans I have for you." We thought we knew what the year 2007 would bring, we didn't.
We had as many emotions as there were days in 2007. And so we thank you and say, in 2008 we will do our best, with Your help, to STAND! And to remember that You know what 2008 holds and there are no surprises for you. Thank you for being our God.
Thank you for 2007.....and in advance for the adventures to come with You in 2008.
Because He lives, we can face tomorrow and 2008!
6 comments:
I love the way you ponder in your heart and give God the glory. I look for your comments on a couple of sites and finally visit your blog, because I see how you love the Lord in your sweet words. Thanks for your reflection today and because He lives, we can look to tomorrow with joy indeed. Thanking Him for these and many more blessings, annie
A beautiful post. Words so true. God is good...all the time. I am praying for your son...may this be the year he finds his way.
happy New year!
Thanks for all your comments, you just don't know what they mean to me along or should i say especially with your prayers!
Hi Nancy, I haven't been over for quite a while because our own family has been going through such turmoil, too. We've had a pretty rough year starting in Jan. with my Dad having 2 major strokes. He passed away Sept 21, but in between times, my younger daughter was diagnosed with bipolar and had to have 2 hospital stays. She finally got stable when she had a cancer scare. She had emergency surgery on Dec 28 after being in emergency since 3:00 am Christmas morning. I brought her home with me yesterday and she's still in a lot of pain, but we're thankful that God helped her through the year. We're still praying to hear that word "benign" sometime next week. I know many people who had a very hard 2007, but I'm praying that 2008 will be a new beginning for everyone. I will pray for you and your family, too.
May God bless you with a wonderful New Year! And may we each continue to dress in the full armor of God each day.
Continuing in prayer for you.
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