As I sit and have my cup of coffee with Jesus on this New Year’s Eve morning, I’m finishing up my list of ways I want to challenge myself in the NEW YEAR. I always make a list, not resolutions, a list of areas of growth. I make a goal of how I want to grow SPIRITUALLY, and build my relationship with the Lord. I make a goal of how I want to grow EMOTIONALLY, including books I want to read, or classes I’m going to take, ways in which I can grow INWARDLY. And then I set a goal for PHYSICAL growth. I look at ways in which I can take better care of the temple God has put me in charge of.
I don’t set unachievable goals, I just seek ways in which I can set patterns for the new year. I think of the healing that I need and the areas in which I need to grow in forgiveness, patience, and trust. I have come to believe that God sometimes takes us to places and gives us experiences to draw us closer to HIM!
So, today I’m going to prepare prayerfully to walk into this NEW YEAR with strength and trust that each trial and blessing, no matter how difficult, is part of God‘s greater plan to build HIS kingdom. That becomes exciting and challenging, knowing that God has taught me, and continues to teach me, to surrender, trust, love, and serve HIM! I can’t help but be excited about a NEW YEAR! Ready or not, here I come, with Jesus at my side!
2 comments
Great message! HAPPY NEW YEAR! AMEN AND GOD BLESS EVERYONE!
Buon Giorno Monsignor on this last day of the the 2021 year. I look forward to a fresh new year, a clean slate; to grow and challenge myself out of my comfort zone, to find more areas to help and have compassion toward others, to forgive (this one is still a work in progress, just saying…), to increase my patience, to continue to believe in our Father’s ability in healing my broken body and completely abolish my sadness still hiding in the crevices of my brain.
I’m grateful to be alive (Drs. are perplexed how I’m still upright and breathing without taking my gabapentin, I thank God he gifted me a high pain tolerance), I’m excited for the future as a single women, after a 4 year horrific divorce. I’m happy to have a new love in my life. I truly believe our Father had me walk through my painful and humbling trials, tribulations and tests with HIM. HE carried me when I felt I was literally about to drown. By going through this darkness I now can see and understand why I went through this, to truly appreciate and feel true love, HE placed my soulmate at the end of my nightmare. As story-tales go, my knight in shining armor was waiting for me.
I’m grateful for my family’s health, for my daughter, Diana Bella, being accepted early action to 4 fabulous universities, with incredible scholarship opportunities to consider.
Most of all I’m grateful my Father gave the ability to experience a new chapter, to finally see a future filled with hope, happiness, laughter, kindness and love. Allowing me to forgive myself for trying to leave this Earth. I know I’m stronger than I thought, HE has a plan for me and I walk proudly and blindly knowing there is something significant, shiny and sparkling on the other side of the door.
Monsignor Craig, please know you’ve positively impacted my life and thousands of others by reading your uplifting, spiritual and funny messages. I know Jesus gave you an incredible gift, your ability to share HIS word in a manner we can understand and easily apply. I pray this 2022, gifts you all the goals you have listed in addition others HE has awaiting for you, Blessings and much love.
Dr. Marta Chipres (Escobar)