Have you noticed people mentioning their chosen word for the new year?
This morning the word persevere came to mind.
The word persevere reminds me of flowers growing up through cracks, in the most unlikely places. I have taken photos of such. Love seeing Johnny-Jump-Ups surprise me here and there.
Just completed two cataract surgeries the end of 2023. January 2024 having left thumb surgery to repair lack of cartilidge. Recovery time 3 months. Plan to have right thumb repaired January 2025. This is going to take some perseverance. (Perseverance to not complain.) Prayers appreciated. Also having an update this week re leg weakness. As a friend states, "getting old is not for sissies."
One good thing will be catching up on reading. Especially my Christmas gift to myself - some of John MacArthur's studies on OT books.
When I think of flowers growing up through cracks, I also think of being rooted. A strong root system is needed to endure the storms of life. You'll appreciate this analogy if you are a gardener.
Jesus' parable about the 4 planting conditions (Matthew 13) mentions pros and cons of the root system. What sprang up in good soil had developed a healthy root system vs what sprang up in poor soil died.
How is your root system? A strong root system is developed through faith and trust. Faith and trust are grown through trials, those storms of life. Think of the trials of Joseph in Genesis, yet God turned it into good. Or the trials of Job which God turned into a blessing. These two men had no idea God had a good plan in mind through their suffering - both emotional and physical suffering. Recall the prediction of Jesus' birth in Isaiah - Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. These characteristics bring comfort.
"The Lord blessed the latter part of Job's life more than the first." Job 42:12 (Think I'll read John MacArthur's commentary on Job first.)
I'm in the latter part of life. I'll be looking for God's blessings. It's a good idea to make a habit to look for daily blessings and write them down. If not in a blessings jar, then on your calendar. Talking about daily blessings is a subject to discuss with your children at the end of the day. It will grow their faith and trust as well.
I pray that out of his glorious riches
he may strengthen you with power
through his Spirit in your inner being,
so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.
I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,
may have power, together with all the saints,
to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,
and to know this love the surpasses knowledge -
that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:16-19
What's your word for the year?
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