2009 Begins

And so it begins. A brand new year! Can you believe it? We made it through another one! :) So... what were the events in your life that stood out the most? Was there anything you wish you would have done? Was there anything you were surprised you did get to do? Were you able to help someone?

For me I think the highlight was visiting Spain, twice. I never even imagined I would have an opportunity like that, let alone experience it! And by God's grace I have been able to help several people in the community who are without jobs. The Bible is right when it says that it's better to give than to receive.

Now, looking to the new year I wonder what it will bring. There are a lot of people hurting financially. How can I, one person, make any positive impact? It's not enough to just sympathize with someone whose suffering. A pat on the shoulder and a, " I'm sorry, that's tough," won't change their circumstances.

Giving money helps but the truth is that people need support in more ways than just financially. They need jobs... something they can work at and feel good about. They need emotional support... people who take time out of their schedules to spend with them. Sometimes that means physically being with these people and other times it means calling them up and listening to their worries and frustrations. But it's not always easy to do.

Something else people need might very well be all the extra stuff you have that you want to get rid of but don't know where to take it. Clothes, shoes, books, toys... all these things could benefit someone else. Heck... I might even be able to get rid of an extra bed comforter with matching sheets! If all I learned this year was one thing it was this: I don't need nearly as much stuff as I thought I did to be happy.

Another way I hope to help people this year is to make home-made meals. Now I'm no chef... nowhere near one. But I know what's healthy and I know how to make a few tasty meals. So as long as God provides the money I'm going to try and help in that way too.

As for a New Year's resolution... I guess mine would be trying my best to be better than what I was last year. I want to be more patient, more kind, more trusting. I want to be a better christian and stay close to God. I want to know Him in an even deeper way. But I know that He is the only one who can help me accomplish any of these things. And my trusting in Him has to start right here with this point: I can't do anything with a lasting, positive impact without God's mercy.

I want to wish everyone who reads this a new year full of promises and dreams that come true. I wish to you peace and I hope that you foster a tender heart towards people who will enter your life. God bless you!

"It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man." Psalm 118:8