Tuesday, January 1, 2008

New Beginnings

2008! Wow! Where did ’07 go?
Over and over I have heard the words “new beginnings” being stated about this year. Those words resonate deep within me.
Every year, not unlike most people, I make resolutions, but always seem to forget them or just flat out break them week two of the new year. I feel so very different about this year because I truly do see it as a time of new beginnings. Last year, was a very difficult year for me. It was a year in which I found out my career would be ending. While I thought I was prepared for the change, I really wasn't. It wasn't just my career, I found out about some health issues (I knew something was wrong, but the doc's ignored my symptoms and did not actually diagnose it until I demanded an MRI). I panicked. I decided that I needed to fix everything before "the end." I think I destroyed most of what I was trying to fix, and my stress levels only added to my health issues. Then an awesome thing happened; a verse from The Bible came to mind "[b]e still and know that I am God..." so I sat down and listened. God spoke those words (Ps 46) at a time in which chaos was all around, and He reminded me that He is my refuge, my fortress, my protection, my God...all I had to do was trust Him. From there out, all I have done is listen...and it is so amazing how the Lord has gotten through to me. I have made decisions in which He gave me dreams directing me not to do what I had planned...He was so right. He also had people walk down from the platform at church and pull me aside to talk to me. I even attended a conference (what a conference...it was like Woodstock meets Jesus...whew, but that's beside the point) in which I knew no one, and He had someone stop in the middle of teaching to speak to me. Nothing impacted me like the words that were spoken that day. It was when the lights went on and I realized the Lord has plans far beyond my insignificant attempts at living.
So, my life is changing, and this year will definately be a year of new beginnings. The first four months, I will be locked up in my house finishing off the last of my classes (6 courses...ouch). My job end date is up in the air. Since I know every position in my area, some are rallying to keep me until June so that I could train all the people who were hired on with the new trust company; however, the current manager would like to wing it with her new people and let everyone here go in March. I didn't apply for a job with the new trust company, I never felt a peace about it, and I am suprisingly confident in my decision. So, if my employment ends in March, I'll have some fantastic study time; if it ends in June, I'll have some time to build where God says build. Whatever the future holds, I am so looking forward to it and will do what the Lord instructs me to do...and go where He says go. I am free, I am ready, and I am more than willing to meet this year head-on!

I hope this year is a year of new beginnings for you as well!

Isaiah 43:18-19
"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.

Psalm 143:8
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.

8 comments:

MelanieJoy said...

Oh Girl, for the first time ever I am sooooo excited about this New Year. It's almost like God has whispered in my ear.....this is it Melanie this is the year you've been praying and desiring. I can't wait to see what He is up to...for us both! Take care...post more =)

MelanieJoy said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Holly said...

Praying for you, Kate! You have blessed me so very much. I am the one who is honored to be YOUR friend!

I replied to your comment here: http://crownlaiddown.blogspot.com/2008/01/paying-it-forward.html
Hee hee!

I will call soon. Right now, it is Narnia and the North time (we got the BBC series for Christmas).
Much love and prayers to you,
Holly

Nadine said...

Very inspiring Kate. I came by and realized you wrote about new beginnings...isn't God wonderful. He places in our hearts the same things.

May this year bring you such blessings that you are unable to contain it all. May God open up His floodgates and rain down upon you in abundance. Happy New Year.

beckyjomama said...

Girl, You are sooooo inspiring. You have an extreme faith and I love that!!!! Changes are hard, but so is waiting for them - you are choosing to wait on and in the Lord and that is the best way to wait! HE knows the plans that HE has for you. He may send someone to give you a word here and there but only HE can reveal HIS plan to you! I have been in the waiting - health stuff, job/future uncertainty, school, and a MAN (I got married at 34 ... he was SO worth the wait!!!), so I know how hard it is. Took me a very long time to realize that WAITING was what He needed me to do! Lesson learned and, again, worth it all!!!
I am praying for ya!
Happy New Year Siesta!!!
Becky Jo

PS - CAN I switch the blog around - put the posts on the other side?!?!?!?! HELP!!!

TeriAnnElizabeth said...

Happy New Year Kate!

I loved your blog about the year of New Beginnings!

GOD was so awesome last year! So tender and sweet with such a hurt and aching woman who had finally, FINALLY turned around and let HIM catch me!

We have more work to do this year and knowing that HE knows me better than I could ever know myself and what I need - plus - I can do all things through HIM...well...it's going to be a year of changes!

HE'S about doing NEW THINGS, Ms. Kate! You are so right!!

I kept visualizing the scripture, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us." Hebrews 12:1 (NLT)

Just like Siesta Beth's New Years Day blog at LPM, I want to work on the things that hinder my progress and any sin that slows me down.

I visualize someone like my husband at one of the marathons he runs and thinking of him trying to do it in jeans and a flannel shirt,jacket and boots! Those people know at a marathon that it's endurance that's going to win the race and they cannot be encumbered with anything!

They know that they need to pace themselves and not start out too fast and then not have the energy to finish. Timing is everything when you are running 26.1 miles!

GOD'S timing is everything in this life (race). HE is the ultimate marathon trainer and coach!!

Like we said, echoing Beth, "Ain't HE Sweet?" :-)

Bless you Dear One! Praying for your New Beginnings and study. I'm back to mine next week but have some things to do before the feet hit the "ground running" at classes and clinicals!

Blessings in HIM!!
Teri

TeriAnnElizabeth said...

Hey Ms. Kate!

Do I have your e-mail address? I was trying to sort through all of that today and I had something so cute I wanted to include in sending you.

I promise to not send forwards that say "if you love Jesus pass this on to 100 friends". In the middle of a crazy schedule and day that is so annoying.

Maybe it might make someone slow down and think but it just makes me set there and worry about taking the time to send it out until I think...STOP!! :):) LOL

Let me know your e-mail if you are ok with that when you have a second.

Blessings!!
Teri

Monica Chadwell said...

Hey Kate -

Happy New Year Girl!! So glad you stopped by to say hello! You're too sweet. I've been up to my eyeballs in all kinds of busyness through the Christmas and New Year holidays, but every bit of it has been a joy. No time to blog though ... writing is such a luxury these days. I love to do it, but time is not always available. Oh, sigh.

Anyway, I wanted to say how much I loved this post! You are such a deep thinker, a spiritual thinker, and a wonderful inspiration. I have found that many of our brothers and sisters, including me, have had the same sensation of a potent New Year! I can't help but discern that world events are steering us closer to end times ... and wonder if God is quickening our hearts to be more sensitive to His instruction. It's awesome to be part of this Body ... to be inspired, encouraged, lifted up and spurred on by so many others also on fire for Christ.

I'm in a mode of deep reflection and renewal. The Lord has been doing a work in me too, preparing me for this new year. There have been some trials to test my metal and through prayer, sweat and tears I'm beginning to see how God is preparing a new future for me as well. I'm listening. So, glad that God speaks, and that His words are all powerful.

I pray that we will continue to encourage each other to stay on course and to continue to pursue Him with great passion. How neat it will be to compare notes in a few months, huh? I can't wait!! I think we'll all be blown away by what He's doing in our lives.