As Christmas (and the end of the year) approaches I’ve been looking back on this year’s journey….. many ups and downs.  I started this blog in part to encourage myself along the way, that’s one of the downers.  I’ve been reflecting on where my priorities have been. Unfortunately I must admit I’ve been mostly selfish. I tend to recognize my blessings like close friends, family, children, grandchildren, moderate physical health, etc. However, I have neglected my number one blessing and that is my relationship with my Lord as Savior Jesus Christ. Yes, I still pray every day and read His Word often and acknowledge His presence in my life, but He has shown me recently how I have not done my duty as a child of God. We, as Christians,  are called to do more than keep Him to ourselves. We are to set a Christ like example to others. We are to share His word with others. We are to minister in whatever way we can or that He leads us to. I do try to give glory to God in all things but I’m not sure if I’ve done this out loud enough. I’m not sure I’ve encouraged others enough to look for God’s hand in their lives or to seek His strength and wisdom.  I know I stepped away from women’s ministry a few years ago and while I look back on those times with great fondness,  I have intentionally avoided it every since. It has been out of pure selfishness. ….. I gained such blessed friends and sisters in Christ through that ministry that it hurt very deeply to leave them; I have avoided it because I didn’t want to become attached and hurt again. God didn’t call me to women’s ministry to make friends, He did so so that He could use me to reach others and to share His love with them and so they could bless me also.

So now as I plan for the new year and what ways I will be moving forward, I see I need the same priorities but in a different order. My number one priority (is) will be my relationship and obedience to my Savior. I encourage all of you as well to have Him as your top priority. I could lose 50 lbs and be in great health, be physically active, eat all the right things, spend time with family and friends,  even get back involved in the church, but without Christ as the center it’s all for nothing. If you don’t know Jesus as your personal Savior, I encourage you to first ask Him into your heart/life…accept and trust that He died on the cross to pay the debt of your sins and rose from the grave. He has a purpose for each of us and is simply waiting for us to trust Him, believe Him, and allow Him to have control. Once you accept Him as Savior then get into His Word. Read it, meditate on it, let it resonate with you in everything.

I still have plans to quit smoking, lose weight, eat healthy, exercise,  etc…. but Jesus is my coach, captain, director, you name it…HE IS IN CONTROL.

Have a blessed, God filled Christmas and new year. May His face shine upon you.