a simple, little word

One little word.

I don't get it.

It takes a long time to build.  But it can be destroyed in a single moment.

Babies get it-- why can't I?

One little word-- by it determines whether you will have peace or anxiety.  Hope or depression.  Joy or gloom.  One little word-- why is it so hard to comprehend?  Only five letters-- of mystery.

Trust.

I'm a planner.  I like everything completely organized, well thought out, and thoroughly planned long in advance.  I like to know all of the details of everything that I am to be involved it.  I want to know when it's happening, why it's happening, who's in charge, what the schedule is, etc, etc, etc, etc.  That way I'm ready to do my part thoroughly and with excellence.  But for some reason, life never seems to happen like that.

Things always happen, and get in the way of all my best laid plans.  Distractions, big or small.  Minor or major.  Things never play out exactly the way that we would like or expect.  Why?

God knows that if we know what's coming, we can prepare for it.  If we prepare for it, and do an awesome job, ("Yay, look what I've done!") then what?  Is God glorified?  Whereas, when we are put into precarious situations, totally taken off guard, we are forced to rely on HIM for strength, to call on Him for direction, and allow Him to be glorified through our weakness.

I'm not saying that we shouldn't prepare-- on the contrary, the Bible calls us to "be ready in season and out of season" (2 Tim. 4:2a), but what if we stopped worrying about what "may" come, and focus on what "is" and trust God with the rest?

"Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me-- to keep me from exalting myself!  Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me.  And He has said unto me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.'  Most gladly therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me."

~2 Corinthians 12:7-9

...more on this later.

"This will be my resolution..."

I write this post, leaving you, my dear readers, to determine whether my delay in writing it was poetic or ironic.

Last night, as I ground the beginnings of what was to later be formed into whole wheat loaves, music was on my mind. Melody set up the laptop with our little iPod speaker system on the counter.  I cranked up a couple of tunes...  one of which I'd like to share, in light of New Year's.

My previous post discussed how despite the fact that I may not have kept my previous resolutions for 2012, God had His own plans for me, I had but to follow His will-- which meant that my own plans would have to wait.

But what about this year?  Do I have any ambitions for this year?  Yep, I sure do... but guess what?  I'm so behind that I haven't even gotten around to writing them down.  My brain has been so scattered over the past couple of weeks that I think it'll take a while for my head to stop spinning.  Is it really 2013-- already?!?  Nevertheless, regardless of my plans, goals, aspirations, or whatnot, I have one resolution for this year.  Yep, you read right: one.

"This will be my resolution:

Everyday is New Year's Day."

I can hear Carolyn Arends singing now, 

"Oh, this could start a revolution: Everyday is New Year's Day..."

I love new beginnings.  

I love the start of a new year.  

I love the start of a new month, or even week.  

So why is it so hard to embrace a new day?

"The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,

For His compassions never fail.

 They are new every morning;

Great is Your faithfulness."

{Lamentations 3:22-23}

This is one of my key verses for this year of 2013.  Regardless of what's in the past, everyday is a new beginning.  I am not the same girl that I was yesterday; I might have been a slacker, didn't get anything done, I may have been tired and cranky even-- but that was yesterday.  Today is brand new-- what am I going to do with it, and how can the Lord be glorified in it?

Today is a new beginning.  

Seize the day, don't put anything off, and don't regret lost time.  Make today the day of redemption-- the Lord will take care of restoring that which the locusts have stolen.  Yours is to embrace His lovingkindesses and His compassions, and walk in newness of life.  Everyday.

This is the first day of the rest of your life.  Make it count.