She skidded to a stop at the end of the corridor, her sneakers screeching their irritation at the interruption. Bending over, resting elbows to knees, she inhaled in and out to calm her rapid breathing.
The race had come to an end. All she needed to do was go through the correct door to finish.
She glanced left, then right.
Which one would give her all her hopes and dreams?
Which one would shatter them all?
She stilled her thoughts and listened.
Surrender.
It was the word she kept hearing over the past few months.
Yes, I hear You.
She made her selection, turned the doorknob, and entered.
Happy New Year! Welcome to 2015.
Do you feel like me every time you enter into a new year? Just like the lady above? Partly excited, but scared to death of what the year will bring?
I have to admit…I’m glad to put 2014 behind us. It was a tough one that held a lot of stress, disappointments, and heartache. I found myself asking God a lot of questions. I heard the same answers.
Trust Him.
Everything happens in His time. Not mine.
However, 2014 wasn’t all doom and gloom. God is faithful and brought us through. He gave us gifts in between the rough patches. As Mama always said, “God is good…ALL the time!”
What does 2015 hold? I have no idea. I’m taking a big breath, turning that knob, and stepping through. I’m trusting Him with what’s on the other side of that big scary door.
A lot of people make New Year’s resolutions. I personally choose not to. A friend of mine got me started on picking a word for each year (thanks Lisa!). As you might have guessed, mine for 2015 is….drumroll….
S U R R E N D E R
Yes, surrendering everything to Him will be tough. We humans tend to leave things with Him and then snatch them back in a blink of an eye! However, I’m going to try my hardest to stay on my knees, surrendering every aspect of my life to Him.
When I think of surrendering, I picture my mother standing on her tippy toes, praising God and singing at the top of her lungs. She had been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor yet her face radiated joy.
That’s what true surrender looks like.
One of the areas I will be surrendering – my writing!
(photo used with permission – http://thewriteconversation.blogspot.ca/)
One other thing I do instead of making resolutions is setting realistic goals for the year. I write them down and tack them up on my corkboard above my desk. This way I’ll see them whenever I’m at my computer.
I’m looking forward to 2015. It’s all in His hands.
New year. Fresh start.
Total surrender.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Do you choose a word for the year? If so, will you share it with us? We’d love to hear it!
I Surrender (by Matt Crocker)
This song fits perfectly with my word! Powerful words…listen to the lyrics.
Hi Darlene,
The word that’s been resonating in me for several days is “Closer.” I’ve been praying over it, over where he wants me to go with it. First is to be closer to him, then to my family and friends and church. And in my writing. I’ll strive to make my writing closer to him, to what he wants me to write, to better reflect him to my readers. Should be an exciting year.
Hi Henry! That’s a great word. Thanks for sharing!
We heard the Triumphant quartet from Tennessee sing New Years Day in Waterloo. They led us in singing ‘I SURRENDER ALL” That song always brings tears to my eyes I haven’t surrendered all but that is what God wants us to do Thanks Darlene for your words of encouragement.
That’s an awesome song. Thanks for stopping by. God bless, Eunice.
Thanks for this word as I have embraced it too! Powerful song with great conviction of surrender especially with the the visual of God’s Earthly Beauty! Love ya!
Yes, it’s definitely a powerful song. I thought it fit nicely with the blog!
Awesome Song Dar….