Not My Plans for the New Year

“I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4 ESV

January 2025

Week One: My right hearing aid broke. Week Two: The roof leaked in the master bedroom and the front porch. Week Three: Pipes burst in the well-house as the water froze.

These were not my plans for the new year.

As I sit to chat with you, I am waiting for the plumber and the roofer. As for repairing the hearing aids, I’m not sure I want to hear what either of these guys have to say.

How has your year been so far?

“Let him have all your worries and cares, for he is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you.” 1 Peter 5:7 TLB   Click here for more verses on worry.

Despite all the difficulties of my first few weeks, I have a peace that only comes when you know, really know that you are God’s child. I have a Father in Heaven who sees my need and will answer in His time and in His way.

He has graciously enabled me to stay home. I have a cozy cottage with a fireplace, plenty of bottled water, and food. I even have popcorn and chocolates! It’s like camping out with all the perks. He has given me amazing opportunities to witness His love and grace to those I would not have met otherwise.

God has helped me, through His marvelous grace, to view each obstacle in daily life as a stepping stone. I can choose to step up and

  1. trust God in all things
  2. praise Him for who He is
  3. allow God to work as He sees fit

 

Or to step down and be worried over finances and material things.  I choose to step up. Will you join me?

What are you facing today? Will you trust God’s hand in each circumstance? Can you simply let go and let God? Thanks for leaving a note below.

How can I pray for you?

Hugs, Susie

Heart Warming Thoughts for 2025

From Philippians 4 … if you value the approval of God, fix your minds on the things which are holy and right and pure and beautiful and good… and you will find the God of peace will be with you.

As I pen this note, it’s day five of the new year. Diamonds sparkle on ice-laden trees, fences, and walkways as I warm by a cozy fire. With above-freezing temps nowhere in sight, winter photos somehow lost their appeal! Happy summer pics of Kitty checking out my coffee warmed my heart. I trust they will do the same for you.

Let’s chat a bit about this new year looming in front of us. Are you a goal-setter? Did you make resolutions? How’s that going for you?

Perhaps you’re reading this and thinking, “Susie, I just hope to get through one more day with a little sanity left. I am not ready to look at an entire year before me. I’m bone tired, worn out, and physically and mentally empty. I cannot think of resolving for next year!”

Like me, you may watch the news and wonder how anyone will make it. We can so easily get weighed down with our daily struggles and the cares of this world that there seems no way out.

I have a personal challenge for you. Let’s make this our best year ever. No matter how busy, stressed, or worn out we are, we can do this!

Consider joining me this year on a journey. We will set one personal resolution (goal) we can keep for the entire year. I promise this simple goal can change your life, give you a new perspective,  ease your burdens, and lighten your load.

Here is the deal. My one major goal this year is taken from God’s Word in Philippians chapter 4 (paraphrase):

“…fix your thoughts on what is honorable – right – pure – lovely – admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. And the God of peace will be with you.”

Let’s not plan to change our doing, let’s change our thinking, one day at a time. For me, as my thoughts head for old familiar territory-I Can’t Hill, They Won’t Road, Trouble’s Coming Village, We’ll Never Make It Curve, 

Stop it. Today, with God’s help, I will fix my thoughts on lovely, pure, good things.

I will look into the mirror and smile at myself until I laugh out loud at that silly woman staring back. 

I will hug someone nearby, call a friend, or simply raise my hands high and breathe deeply as I sing praises to Jesus.

Yes, precious friend, I will have other goals. I have to make them for my work, my family, and myself. However, this one goal will be my priority, and all else will follow.

Thanks for listening and taking the time to leave me a note so I can pray for you as we journey 2025 together. Let me hear from you. We can make this a great year.

Hugs,

Susie

Gifts Money Cannot Buy

 

 

“And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” I Corinthians 13:13 NKJV

As I sit down to pen this article, our town is brimming with people. The Christmas parade has come and gone. Little ones are wired with their tummies and pockets filled with sugary treats. Eager shoppers rush to find perfect gifts for family and friends.

For forty-two years, Russell and I either exchanged gifts or planned a special outing for our anniversary or Christmas. Other times, he brought me gifts when he thought about it (not necessarily for a holiday or anniversary). Often he gave flowers, carefully choosing the container.

Of more value to me than the flowers, were the little cards. The words clearly came from his heart. He seemed to know when I was feeling old or inadequate and had the right words to encourage me. They were his words in his writing; priceless!

If you steal my purse, take all the money (both dollars!), just please leave this card. Seriously, it is one of my most treasured gifts and cannot be replaced. Money can’t buy the tenderness in the words my sweet husband penned in 2016. Eight years later, his final “I love you” was as meaningful as his first.

As you continue your holiday shopping, are you giving the best gifts? Your time? Your attention? Your prayers? Could you take time to write a simple love note to include with your gift? Perhaps you can join me in resolving this year to pen a tiny note to each of our loved ones every month or so.

We are reminded in this season that the Greatest Gift, while free to us, cost God His only Son. Jesus freely gave His life so that we could have forgiveness of sin and be with Him in Heaven. If you have not received this free gift or have someone you are praying for, jot me a note. Eternity is at stake.

May Jesus be more real to you this Christmas than He has ever been.

Love, hugs, and prayers.

Susie