December 31, 2005: Looking back - and forward

A new year shall soon begin!

At the end of each year, Merisha and I have a tradition of looking back over the past year, seeing that it was rather uneventful and saying to each other "Well, I wonder what this year will hold?" The coming year remains much the same as the last and we repeat the saga again and again.
This year, though, has been eventful. From January to December, there have been many changes. I shan't bore you with them all...most of you are already familiar with my year and are by now bored of hearing it all :)

I have had new challenges and struggles that come with new circumstances but it is with gratefulness I say that through my weakness, I can see God's manifold and great mercy at work. His strength is made perfect in my weakness and I take heart in the promise that He who began a good work in me will carry that work on to completion until the day of Christ.

The love and grace of God never cease to amaze me. Though as I look back over the year and see the many times that I have failed Him, I am able to breathe a prayer of thanksgiving because I know that He continues to forgive and sanctify me.
Psalm 103 has always amazed me. When I reach verses 8-13, I always stop and marvel at it, trying to grasp the full implications. I can't fathom this kind of unconditional love:

"8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. 9 He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever. 10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities. 11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; 12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. 13 As a father pities his children, So the Lord pities those who fear Him."

Looking back, I remember many good times. Some of the highlights have been the visits with family, sweet fellowship with old friends, moving to Katy, joining our new church and making new friends here.

At the beginning of the year I began memorizing 1 Peter and there is a light at the end of the tunnel! I've just finished the first couple of verses of chapter four. It has been a wonderful experience, and I have been challenged and convicted by studying this incredible book.
In light of the fact that we are spending so much time interacting with people as waitresses at the tea room, Mom and I have adopted 1 Peter 4:11 as our goal: Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Happy New Year!

~Robin <><