Thoughts about the New Year

A brand new year, and with it, a brand new start. Many hopes and dreams to realise, many lessons to learn and struggles to overcome.

My prayer is that this year will be a year of breakthrough. Breakthrough in terms of my spiritual life, which has deteriorated over the past 2 years. Also, a breakthrough in my personal life, a cleansing of my soul and spirit, with a renewed focus and determination to set my eyes on that which is right. A patience to endure all the hardships that God has placed in my life. These hardships are there to mold me and to build up my faith and my character... to make me more mature and more able to withstand all that satan throws at me. Also, to build me up, so that when others struggle and face the battles, I can be there to encourage them, to spur them on.

It is a challange to want to do all things right, especially when there are still such big outstanding issues to work out...

I say I need to pray more, but whether I actually do really remains to be seen.

I need to be a doer of the Word and not just a hearer and a speaker. The truth needs to be lived out and to be demonstrated in my life. And God certainly has given me the opportunities. I just haven't taken them very well over the last year.

This new year is a new chance.

I am encouraged by the way my dear dear is taking this new year. She actually has made resolutions, when before, she said that she didn't believe in making resolutions because she never ever keeps them.

I love it when she is on a spiritual high. I certainly have to appreciate and remember these times so that when she is low, I will not succumb to discouragement, but I will have the strength to be that light to pull her back out of the depths again.

I need to be stable, I need to be strong in the Lord. I need to be the leader in this relationship. I need to demonstrate what I want her to learn in faith, and at the same time, I need to be pushed spiritually by her to reach for greater heights.

Tomorrow I start school. I am determined to do a better job than before. I am determined to be more organised, to be more purposeful and focussed. I need to do what I say I will do and not to put things off. I need to be efficient and to be effective. I need to produce results in my class and not merely good ideas. I need to pray for my students daily and to encourage them. I need divine wisdom to know how to motivate them. I need to be their light and their mentor and friend. It is a challenge...

God help me I pray, and give me the strength... I need you now more than ever before.