Shoring Up My Foundation

2019 is almost complete. Less than twelve hours remain in the year. As my thoughts travel back through the year I can't help but notice what an amazing year it has been. Up, down, all around the days have whirled, twisted, and danced like the fall leaves in the wind. Joy, sadness, frustration, and peace have been woven together into this tapestry called life.

One thing I found myself doing over and over again in 2019  is returning to the truths the foundation of my life is made of:

• God is good. Whether it feels like it, looks like it, sounds like it or not, God is good. This is the day He has made. Therefore, it is good. I will rejoice and be glad in it no matter how it feels, looks, or seems.
• Because God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. I am whosoever that has believed. Therefore, I have everlasting life.
• All things work together for good to those who are the called in Christ Jesus. I am the called. Therefore, all things work together for good to me.
• God never leaves me or forsakes me. He carries me in His bosom. He gently leads those that have young. I have young. Therefore, He gently leads me.
• I walk by faith not by sight. 
• I have been saved by grace . through faith . it is not by works. it is the gift of God. 
• God's plans are not to harm me. They are for my good, for my future.
• God busies Himself with my every step. All my steps are ordered by Him.
• He gives His angels charge over me.
• I have not been given a spirit of fear. I have been given a spirit of power, of love, I have a sound mind.
• God's word is alive. It is active. It divides the motives and intents of my heart.
• Salvation is the gift of God by grace through faith not of works.

Time and time again situations in 2019 have been such that deliberately stilling myself inside and intentionally reminding myself of the truth of God's Word has been necessary to not only maintain a healthy perspective but to strengthen my emotional health as well. Thanks to the practice the year's experiences provided, operating from a place of truth has become my natural response to difficult circumstances. I may have been doing what I had to in order to survive the onslaught, but God was working all those things together for my good. Not only have I survived 2019, but my relationships have grown deeper, sweeter, and I am stronger in every way!

At the core of truth is who God is. He is good. He is sure. He loves always. He is merciful. He is gracious. His loving kindnesses are new every morning. He forgives. He saves. He heals. On and on the truth of who God is has kept the walls of my life from toppling over. Who God is is the foundation my life is built upon, a foundation that has been strengthened throughout 2019. 

The last portion of 2018 and the beginning of 2019 were spent focusing on who I am in Jesus. Last December my family and I sat and listed 365 responses to the statement "I am..." to make Christmas gifts for our parents/grandparents. Those responses became a rich treasure God planted deep in my heart for several months following the Christmas season. This Christmas I was devouring scripture to collect 365 responses to the statement "God is..." for another year of Christmas gifts. God's perfect timing never ceases to amaze me!  He knew I had to be secure in who I am in Jesus so that I could become grounded in who God is in me. What seemed like a divinely inspired Christmas gift idea for our parents/grandparents was so much more! It was also a gift of love from God to me.

Happy  New Year 2020!