After opening my 2022 calendar and glancing over the 365 days of blank pages before me, I’m greatly encouraged as blank pages are opportunities for fresh starts, re-writes, course corrections and re-imagined visions.
While we chart our days though, there’s a continued trust in a wonderful Father, making room and leaving margin for those steps He’s already ordered before the year even approached with an awesome plan for us in mind.
The Lord directs the steps of the godly.
He delights in every detail of their lives.
Psalm 37:23 (NLT)
This time of year, hideaway places everywhere are painted and blanketed with snow glistening as undiscovered diamonds in the afternoon sun; a winter’s postcard most eyes will never see nor feet ever trod.
Yet depicts the paths waiting for those with fresh vision to forge;
Leaps of faith to climb new heights;
Daring courage to free fall into the unknown;
Fight with tenacity against the opposition which begs to stand in your way.
Belief in yourself enough to leave an irrefutable mark in a undiscovered winter’s postcard.
Entering through the door of another calendar year, we’re greeted and kissed with opportunities waiting their turn for us to finally say “yes; beckoning those willing to move from their couch of complacency and begin taking those steps of faith God’s voice has been leading into the unknown for years; a place where God’s dreams for them really do come true.
For we walk by faith, not by sight.
2 Corinthians 5:7 (NLT)
Lassoing a year’s new beginnings and forging a path where feet have never gone before; at least not yours, is not for the faint of heart.
Contending for vision means challenging what’s difficult, resisting the couch of complacency, and standing your ground when it’d be easier as in years passed to surrender to the fear of failure.
I’m preaching to myself as I stare into the blank calendar days of 2022.
I dare not throw away another planner of missed opportunities; opportunities sadly I didn’t prepare for had they dared to cross my path.
Lord, fill my days and mind with your thoughts of me; the encouragement I need to believe in those steps you’ve asked of me, you’ve ordered for me.
Lord, let me see with clarity the secret strategies an army of ideas must possess to win the war against those oppositions of a God given vision.
Lord, you’ve reminded me my tool belt of gifts is adequate and complete for the dreams you’ve asked me to conquer; as the difference maker in all of this is not my abilities, but availability to you.
Even above these dreams you have for me, the paths you’ve asked me to walk are one step at a time.
Lord, it’s remembering to turn over the knotted and hanging strands of my dream’s tapestry, to see the big picture of those hurting, those desperate and without hope for a loving God, to bring you glory through those you’ve sent me to reach and touch with the plans you have on my life.
Lord, it’s never been about me.
It’s never been about success, money or accolades to accumulate; as this all rusts and burns in time.
Lord, keep reminding me and showing me the quick vapor my life is; the short moments I have to bring honor to your name; to make you famous throughout my life.
Lord, fill up my calendar this year with opportunities I can’t bear to miss this time.
Draw me to yourself when distractions dare to take me otherwise.
Lord, let me be a witness to those I’m unaware are watching; those wondering the source of my smile, the fountain spring of my joy.
I’m greatly encouraged for the blank pages of opportunities, fresh starts, re-writes, course corrections and re-imagined visions of my 2022 calendar before me. I continue to trust in my wonderful Father, making room and leaving margin for those steps He’s already ordered before the year even approached with an awesome plan for me in mind.
I pray for all of you reading and taking in the words an Almighty God has inspired me to write for myself, my children, grandchildren, and you.
May the year of 2022 in your life bring glory to our Lord and Savior who loves you more than you know.
I appreciate those who follow me and SHARE these words when felt led to.
May you allow God to begin filling up your calendar and feel free to COMMENT what He has laid up your heart.
Ever since I was a little girl, I have cherished like gold and hold tight a stack of blank paper in my arms, a brand new journal or calendar where the dam that jams up the words of my heart burst and gush as a raging river onto the empty pages, leaving behind the sediments of sentences, paragraphs and chapters of my thoughts.
I bow my knees to the plans the “Lord my God” has prepared for me, embracing the hope and future he has promised. May I never waver or question the direction of His voice, as a good shepherd never leads his sheep astray.
For this year 2020 I pray that in order to see His vision, I must also hear His vision with clarity when my Heavenly Father speaks. Oh that my ears be unstopped from the cares and worry which deafens His voice from my unbelief and willingness to hand over the reins that lead me.
For this new year of 2020, I must turn the pages of year 2019, thanking Him for his faithfulness and goodness He has shown me and my family, yet moving on and forgetting the former things of the past 365 days, as He is doing a new thing, a wonderful and marvelous thing.
Apples of Gold Encouragement 