Journeying Ahead
“You can’t do anything about the length of your life. But you can do something about its width and depth.” – Evan Esar
Hello Dear Friend,
As quick as the turning of the tides it’s hard to believe that we’re here. We’ve flipped the page in our calendars and crossed over to 2023. Out with the old and in with the new. Good-bye 2022! We wave farewell to the past and with a fresh start we set out with all these plans for this New Year. Staring out into the unknown horizon we find ourselves hopeful for what good may come our way in the coming year.
I’m not sure about the width and depth my life has obtains thus far but I’m working on it. It’s a new day, a new dawn and new breath in our lungs. I don’t know about you, but I’m looking to make some changes this year. There are things I want for my life and truth be told I’d probably be depressed and disgusted to see just how many detours my journey has taken me on so far. Sure I’ve been blessed in the midst of each and every one of them but even still I can’t help but wonder if my life would be further along if I’d chosen a path that had me traveling a little straighter from point to point.
Regrets? Nope. From a city near the lakeshore to a town nestled in the foothills of the mountains, I had a pretty great childhood. My young adult life however had me leaving the mountains to explore the bayou, then to the mountains again before venturing to live on an Island. From the ocean and back to the mountains again. All the country roads, backcountry trails, winding mountains, ups and downs, curves, bumpy highways, potholes, accidents, mishaps and “wrong” turns have made for a rather interesting journey thus far. Not to mention, I’m pretty sure stumbling through all that beautiful mess is just making my story that much more compelling.
The Road Untraveled
“Life itself is a privilege. But to live life to the fullest… well, that is a choice.” – Andy Andrews
Life is precious and it’s a privilege and it’s denied to far too many. Therefore, why not live your best life? Why not live a life filled with intention? Have you ever wondered what you would do, the changes that you would make and how you’d life if you knew your expiration date? How would you respond? Would you drastically change your life and live each day as if it were your last? Would Queen Latifah’s voice be echoing in your head, “Next time…we will laugh more, we’ll love more; we just won’t be so afraid.” quoting her character in Last Holiday? Or would you remain exactly the same and life out the rest of your days broke down and depressed because you didn’t “live” more?
That’s the beauty of a new year. Every year it’s like getting a clean slate, a new chapter and it’s filled with new beginnings. It gives us a chance to reflect on who we are currently and who we want to be. It allows us to put some time towards what we truly want and to focus on how to make it happen. We make plans, set resolutions and map out goals for the coming year that will hopefully steer us into the direction we want our life to take. Guided by the choices we make, now’s our chance to start again.
Jesus Take The Wheel (pun intended)
“I did my best and God did the rest.” – Hattie McDaniel
Whether it’s a quiet picturesque riverside and fields covered in wildflowers or a rugged terrain heading into a dark forest – wherever God leads, I’ll follow. I want to live abundantly. I want to live with intention and have the best life I possibly can. The only way to truly have that is by surrendering completely to God.
So that’s the life I want. One of complete surrender to my Creator so that I have a chance to live out the life He’s mapped out for me; my best life. A life so good I never could have dreamed it up or imagined the full scale of its width or the depth of its reach. I want to do my creative best with the talents He’s given me and let Him do the rest. I want each day I live to please God and no matter the highs or lows brought on in a day, I want to live a life that put’s a smile on my face and has an offering of praise for the Lord by the time I turn in each evening.
My Prayer For The New Year
Lord, thank You for being the Creator of everything; every creature, ever plant and all mankind. Thank You, for Your creation and for giving me eyes to see and behold the majestic wonders designed by Your hands and for ears to hear all the ways creation worships You, its Creator. As we enter into a new year I want to say thank You. Thank You, Father, for my beautiful life, for this season and time and for allowing me to be here one year to another.
As I journey through 2023 help me to remember everything that You’ve taught me throughout the years so that I can continue to grow in You. Be my lighthouse and the guide of my life as I embark on this untraveled path into my future.
Come what may, I love You, Lord. It’s in You that I put my trust. I’m grateful for Your Son, Jesus Christ and for His sacrifice so that I could call Him my Savior. Thank You that Your Holy Spirit lives within me helping to guide me and direct my path in all that I do.
This year I pray that You would open my heart to You and open my heart to the things You love. Teach me to be more open-minded, joyful, gentle, kind, patient, faithful, good, loving and to show more self control over my emotions so that I can honor You in everything I do. In Jesus’ name, amen.
With love,
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