Welcome to 2021

      I have to be honest, 2020 was not a bad year for me.  I understand that it was quite awful for some people, but I am living my dream.  I have a wonderful husband who works hard to provide for our family so I can stay home with our children and homeschool our daughter.  From the time I was young I have wanted to be a stay at home mom.  I am also someone who enjoys staying home, so being told to stay home wasn’t all that bad.  I had a convenient excuse not to go anywhere.  That being said, I know that many people have been out of work or have had to make major adjustments in how they work.  There are parents who have been forced into a stay at home/homeschooling situation they were not prepared for nor that they wanted.  Hopefully things will change in this new year, but it is possible that they will not.  

Trust the Lord in this new year.  Do not be afraid of change,  yet embrace each day as part of God's will for your life.  Matthew 6 reminds us that we don't have to worry about our life.  We can trust in God who is over all things.  He is working for our good and for his glory and He certainly has.  In bad times people look toward Christ and His Church.  They seek someone's love and Christ gives His away for free.  

Every new year people make resolutions and or pick a "word of the year".  I'm a planner, but I don't usually do this.  I like to plan, but resolving to do something has a stronger connotation.  We are told in Proverbs 19:21, "Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand."  Ultimately, no matter what we resolve, God's will is done, even if that is not our plan.  

"Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit'— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring.  What is your life?  For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.  Instead you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.'  As it is, you boast in your arrogance.  All such boasting is evil." (James 4:13‭-‬16)  It is okay to think about and plan for the future, just keep in mind that we are subject to the will of God.  I have had many years when my plans were completely derailed and had many unexpected turns.  Sometimes these surprises are good, other times they are not.  However, whether we like the changes or not, we know that God is in control.  There was a lot of fear and uncertainty in 2020.  I pray that 2021 will bring faith and trust in the Creator who is sovereign over all things.  We may not know what 2021 holds, but he does!

I am thankful for this opportunity to write, and for you taking time to read!  I am planning on continuing to write throughout 2021.  It is my prayer that I can provide encouragement for you as you grow in your walk with the Lord.  I am thankful for the opportunity to invest my time in discipling both my children and some young women I consider close friends.  I pray that you would also continue to seek the Lord, grow in your walk, and disciple others that God brings along your way.  Parents have a high calling to teach their children, but look beyond your home for at least one other woman who is younger in the faith.  Come alongside her and help her to learn and grow as well.  May we continue to allow Scripture to guide our lives and teach us how we ought to live.