2016 was a year of a lot of mountain-top moments for me, but it was also a year of quite a few valley moments as well. I am sure this is the same for all of us. Whether you started a new chapter of life like me or closed a chapter of your life - also like me, we all had some moments we will remember forever and some we would like to forget.
Each year I try to come up with a word that will be my word for the year. This past year, it was delight. Here is what I said at the beginning of 2016 about delight: "If I am being honest, there are quite a few things I delight in. Such as: burnt popcorn, a nice caramel macchiato, going to downtown Nashville and not having a plan, and so much more!! But there are some things I don’t delight in that I should. Like one, being the Lord. Let me back up — I delight in the Lord, but not like I am supposed to. It seems that I only delight in Him when things are going right. Not in the suffering. Not in the trials. Not in the messes. Just when things are “right.” There’s something wrong with that!!! God wants us to delight in Him through everything. And delight in the suffering. Delight in the suffering and delight in seeing God IN the suffering.
So I am challenging myself to delight in everything! I want to write down 5 different things I delight in each day, and truly delight in them!!
My prayer is that life is delightful for you this week, and beyond this week! May the Lord rest on the throne of your heart, and may a peace that transcends all understanding come over you!!
“Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4"
Needless to say, none of that happened. I was hopeful in that I would be happy all the time and find a reason to delight in each little thing. Oh boy, was I wrong. To be honest, I kind of forgot that I even said that was my word for the year and found myself looking for reasons not to delight in things rather than reasons to delight in things.
I want to encourage you going into 2017 not to miss the good and the bad moments. They are all a part of this extraordinary adventure called life that we are all on. When things seem like they are falling apart and at their absolute worst, remember who is constant in it all - Jesus. But most importantly, do not miss HIM this year.
Jesus gave every bit of His time for us. Who are we not to give an hour of our days to Him? Do not miss His plan for you this year, or Him in the silence. He is there. He is where you are now, and He will be with you this time next year.
I am praying for you all in 2017, that you will not miss all the great things you are destined for!
