2011. Laughters. Cries. Heartaches. Breakthroughs.
Myriads of words are popping out of my mind as I look back to the 365 days that passed. Beyond the thousands of changing emotions that filled my year, one thing has been constant: I am never alone. I have been walking in this journey of life with 2 pairs of footprints. My hand is being held by that gentle Hand that has been guiding me all along. Sometimes there’s a tendency for me to turn into a wrong path, but I am immediately rescued before I even step my foot on the ground. He never lets me go. He embraces me even if I pull back. He loves me the same—no matter what I do or how much I hurt Him.
I couldn’t believe that tons of great things actually came my way this 2011. Honestly, those great things have been overpowered by the complaints that came out of my mouth. I have this guilt in my heart now for not being contented with what I have. Throughout the year I would hear myself praying for more projects (mainly because of financial needs), wondering why my last big project was still way back 2010. I even asked God if I have done that many a sin for Him to not bless me with projects. But I misinterpreted Him. I have been blessed more than I could imagine! I just didn’t look at the bigger picture. There were the few commercials to be thankful for. And if I’d look back to my expenses for the whole year, it would be beyond my comprehension as to how my family and I survived. God provided all our needs, often times even our wants. There never came a point when we’d feel so poor and penniless. God always provided a way. And I am almost in tears now for I know I made Him sad by focusing on what I’ve lacked instead of the blessings that He has poured on me and my family.
My New Year’s Resolution would be more of a spiritual aspect. I want to focus on my relationship with God and my responsibility to share His gift to all the unbelievers. I want to invest on the unseen, eternal things rather than on temporary, material ones. I want to work on motivating myself to please only Him and not other people. I want to always choose not the ways of the world but His ways. I know it’s easier said than done but “for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. -Philippians 2:13.” I cannot do the change I want by myself. I need His help. And I am excited to witness how He will maneuver my life.
I thank God for all the hardships that I came across this year. I thank Him that His plans are greater than mine. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” -Isaiah 55:9. I thank Him that I wasn’t able to buy the shoes, bags and gadgets that I’ve been wanting to buy. I know He doesn’t want be to be materialistic and He’s teaching me to be patient. I thank Him for the problems that my family and I faced. I know we’ve become stronger and I learned how to love more despite of the situation.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.” James 1:2-7
I am excited for more of God’s love this 2012! And yes, I am excited for a new set of challenge! I have high hopes for breakthroughs. And my hopes are even higher for my family and friends who are yet to enter into a royal relationship with my Creator.
I will keep on asking God, I will keep on believing for the seemingly impossible to happen and I will keep on dreaming. I have big dreams for my family. I know one day I would be able to bring them to places they have never been before, make them experience the things they haven’t come across, just like what I wanted this New Year’s Eve: to spend the night in a hotel and together we’ll watch fireworks and firecrackers as they paint the sky. But I know it can wait; I just have to be patient.
As we welcome another year of the Lord--2012, let’s wear our shields and swords in this BATTLEFIELD. There will be no victory if there’s no winning in a battle. And with every victory, there has to be a battle. If you’re wondering what weapons to use, here are they:
"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 Lord’s people." -Ephesians 6:14-18
AND
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. – 2 Corinthians 10: 4
Let’s get it on! Be on full armor! Happy New Year!
