Saying "Goodbye" to you, 2011.

A new year introduces to us all many challenges and trials; times of reflection, times of tears, and times of joy. 

When I go out this year into the next, I hope to keep God closer than ever before. This past year, God has shown me that he can and will provide for my needs emotional, spiritual, and financial…that he does what he’s promised in his Word to do.

Many times I found myself in dire straits regarding these, with emotional, financial, and spiritual attacks. But as I have grown spiritually, in my prayer life, I’ve become more aware at recognizing these attacks. This has made me lean even more on God’s guidance, protection, and provision than ever before; seeking to conform my mind to Christ all the more. 

This spiritual progress in my journey has also helped me recognize the ways in which he has provided; some supernatural, and some, using people and places around me. One particular moment of God’s intervention and provision was through a friend:

One day, I came out to my car after an evening at a local McDonalds, checking my email, and found my car would not start. It was 11:00 pm and this man drove up next to me. He was wearing a grey t-shirt with a police insignia but drove up in an unmarked car, so I was immediately suspicious. I did NOT leave my locked car. He remained outside of the car asking me (yelling, I suppose), if my car wouldn’t start; if I needed help. I looked helpless but didn’t speak to him, and grabbed my phone and pretended I was calling 911 (truthfully, I was about to call them). 

I looked up and saw that the guy was looking behind my car. I turned my head and looked in the direction he did…There was a truck there, and I guess he said something to them, because they came ‘round to my car to give me a jump. 

This is when I felt comfortable to finally get out of the car. Ironically, since this old long bearded red-neck in overalls was busy hooking wires to my car. He said that his daughter worked there, and that he picks her up from work. So happens, he’s a mechanic. My car jumped and turned right away, but he said that all it needed was a new battery (thank the Lord). I knew I had some money in the bank from unemployment enough to cover it, but was going to pray about it when I got home, because I needed that money for other things (like eating). 

I had turned to see if the guy who had pulled up was still there, but he was gone. *whether he was bad or good, I got the help I needed, and didn’t have to dial 911.

The next morning, I went to start my car and it was dead again. I thought hard and knew I had to call a friend of mine. He was able to come out an hour or so later, jump my car and take me to get the new battery. 

I told the guy at the Autozone what model I had and he got the battery. As I was going to pay, my friend said: “I got this”. “No, insert name!”I said. “People have done things for me before, it is just my time to do this, let me”. “Ok”, I said “Thank you”. 

As the Autozone guy, from the Ukraine, replaced my car battery my friend overheard me joking about how my oil change was due, and that I was going to take it in that day. How ironic it is..and perfect timing too. 

Well, after the guy got done, my friend said: “Let’s go across the street and do your oil change”. “Yeah, that is where I am headed”, I replied. He proceeds to pull this card out from his wallet. “Here,” he says, “use this card for a free oil change..I just bought this a month ago, and I will still have a free one after you use it”. “Really?”  I said, “you are really helping me out...”. 

He stayed in his car, to make sure that all was taken care of…the least I could do was to have lunch with him. And, I tried to buy lunch with my card, but he shoved the amount for his sandwich in my hand shortly after.

I didn’t mention that day again to him, and he wanted no accolades or recognition. What a good friend(s) I have, and what a way for God to answer my cry for help.

I can’t complain, ‘cause God has been faithful. I have to praise him more for this and all he’s done and is going to do. It doesn’t mean that bad stuff will not happen, no. It will, sadly, but God is greater than those bad things, and even those bad things can’t stop what’s in your mind and heart. If you are his, praise him because…

As with always, God has been answering my prayers, protecting me, and providing for me, sometimes in ways that hasn’t always been as I would have liked him too. But he doesn’t work the way my brain works (thank goodness). And when I need something, he always has something better for me in mind. Sometimes showing me that I didn’t need that thing at all, but something else entirely (which relieves a little pressure). However, some lessons have proved harder to learn, come by, or digest. It is all for stretching me and certainly makes me have to stop and examine the truth of the matter: that He is in charge.

I look at this New Year with great expectation. This past year had as many surprises, as it had disappointments; disappointments, because I had hoped for better outcomes than I had received and witnessed.

I lost my job this summer, there were positions I wanted that feel through, my beloved cat BOO passed away, yet I also met such amazing people, volunteered for some great organizations, made new friends…

And so another year is on its way tomorrow…I start it out with some great friends. What a way to ring it in, right?

After all: “Remember, no man is a failure who has friends.”

 I am in a place where great change can happen, even as I start 2012 with no job, bills, concerns, desires, yet have also already invites to great events and more volunteer opportunities. It is unsettling, not knowing the future, but I do have quite a bit of time to pray and prioritize for it, and am reminded that God was with me in 2011 and He will be with me in 2012.

So, I have to keep up the prayers…

My prayer is that I will grow ever more close to the Lord this coming year. I long for him to prepare me better to help and inspire others in their own spiritual growth.

I also pray that I will be prepared for the greater challenges I anticipate facing because of this growth, and for God to protect and empower me through his spirit and his Word to conquer certain fears I have regarding my future, mend and strengthen my relationships and identity in Christ, and protect and guide me through the emotional, financial, and spiritual attacks that will certainly continue to come my way.

I leave 2011 with an old hymn:

My hope is built on nothing less/ than Jesus' blood and righteousness.

When all around my soul gives way/he then is all my hope and stay.

On Christ the solid rock I stand/all other ground is sinking sand.

All other ground is sinking sand.