Through the Rivers.

I do not know about you but the business of the holidays has just about worn me out...The parties, cooking, decorating, sitting in traffic...all while listening to Christmas music and secretly looking forward to this "seasons" departure.

This weekend I was battling the traffic of Highway 31.
A seemingly endless 4 lane road of bumper to bumper cars.
It is a true joy.

I realized that this would be a perfect moment to turn off my Carpenters Christmas album and talk with the Lord- an act that often goes to the side burner when my schedule gets full and my time slim.

(Does this happen to you too? Try turning down that music in the car and being still before the Lord.)

Without really meaning to begin the process- I started to reflect upon the year that has been 2011.

Can you believe that another year has come and gone?
A new one just on the horizon.
2012.
Blows. Me. Away.

This year has been a full and busy one-

To summarize my 2011:

Engagement
Trip to London/Paris
3 best friends married
I became a wife
One best friend had a baby
Many friends moved to new locations
Moved into new home
Completed Degree

Truly the most formative and impacting 365 days of this girls life.
One of the most difficult & joy filled seasons- with more transitions than I have fingers.

I cannot remember the heart of the Amy that started out this New Year.
Is that crazy?

This year has had its moments of utter joy and moments of despair.
I have truly stood a top the Eiffel Tower in Paris and felt on top of the world- and weeks later found myself in tears sitting on my couch in Birmingham trying to figure this life out.

The Lord has been sweet to place people in my life who know the heart of the Amy that I am now. People who call me out when it is needed. People who love me enough to remind me that I cannot do it all on my own. People who hear my heart about where the Lord is leading and push me in the direction of obedience. People that point me to Christ and are forever friends. The Lord is faithful to teach me through my core relationships on a daily basis.

I can only imagine that 2012 will bring with it the same types of mountains and valleys.

What lessons will the Lord teach me in 2012?

What battles will be the hardest to face?

What will the Lord take away from me to bring me closer to Himself?

Where will the Lord send me?


ALL overwhelming questions.

My only hope is that at the end of this year that I look more like Christ.
That I daily submit my ways to the Lord and trust in Him to sustain and protect my life. That I am bold in proclaiming the Gospel.

May I remind you as the Lord has continually reminded me-
This life is not about me or about you.
Even worse- This life is not about my comfort or happiness.

As sons and daughters of the Most High God- our role is to make much of Christ and to be doers of the word and fishers of men!

The ways in the which the Lord will allow us to fulfill these roles are endless- Who knows where the Lord will lead us and how He will call us to serve Him.


A little daunting, Huh?


I found such rest in these words of Isaiah:

"But now thus says the LORD,
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
'Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and through the rivers,
they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through the fire you shall
not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.
For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, Your Savior."
ch 43. v 1-3a.

As I reflect upon the last year of my life I can say with confidence that I passed through NO rivers, fires or waters without a Savior in my midst.


How sweet is it to face the days ahead knowing that the creator of heaven and earth looks at this mess of a person and says-Amy,You are MINE.

In a world where covenant is temporary, people will fail us and promises are broken- These words could not be more powerful.


I am in tears. God is so good and we need not be afraid.


My prayers is that we move forward to the days, months and years ahead remembering the faithfulness that Christ has shown to us in our past.

This may require us to take a step back from our list of "wishes" that have not yet been granted and really see the goodness and nearness of a Mighty Father.
His fingerprints are all over the place.
He has preserved our life.


Praying for you today. Trust in Him to provide our needs for tomorrow and guide our steps as we move forward in obedience.