 Whether you are sad or glad that 2019 is coming to an end, one thing is for sure...2020 is here. What will the new year and decade hold? Do you have a 2020 vision? In the coming days we will hear this play on words as we enter a new year and new decade. How cool is it that we can envision this next year with such promise and positivity? Vision is sometimes a difficult thing to have when waiting on God to show you direction or purpose.
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 After much encouragement and a lot of persuading by Kim and Heather I am attempting my first post for Balance. Here’s to hoping I can properly express myself and deliver a message that hopefully speaks to at least one soul when they read this.
I was never one to be an attention seeker. I was much happier sitting back and filling in the gaps wherever and whenever needed. I had no amazing skill growing up and never fell in with any “crowd”. So picture grade school and me shying back as they selected players for whatever game was being played for recess and I was typically the last chosen. High school me, you may ask, was no different. I simply just wanted to stay out of trouble, make decent grades, and survive. I dreaded public speaking, social gatherings, and anything that would direct all attention on me  This morning as I fixed my coffee I realized I chose a mug that reflects my state of mind. “Let the adventure begin!” As I have moved out of “Christmas mode” and into preparing myself for a new year this is exactly how I feel! My cousin Emily gave me this mug for my last birthday. I have used it many times as I attempt to face forward and not wallow in the past or my weaknesses.  It is almost Christmas time. If we pause and look around we see magic. We see lights and decorations. We see generosity. There are so many things to be thankful for. The holiday season can elicit such positive emotions and those feel good moments deep in your soul.
Flash back to November, 1996. I was pregnant (verrrrryyyy pregnant) with Allyson. We all knew something was wrong. I was gaining 8 pounds a week and the doctor wasn’t doing anything but telling me I was eating too much. I was scared. That’s an understatement. Some of you know this story and know this could have ended so much differently than it did! God had me in his hands then and had a plan! We all have those songs that just push straight through to our hearts even in the business of the day. “Breath of Heaven” is one of those songs for me.
 Contentment is defined as freedom from worry or restlessness. Another definition is peaceful satisfaction. There is something awesome about those two words side by side, peaceful satisfaction! How often can any of us truly say we have a peaceful satisfaction? How amazing would it be to be free from worry and restlessness?
 One day recently, we found ourselves in deep conversation during an impromptu dinner break from a busy day. We all have those times that the conversation trends more toward “God sharing” and these are true blessings during a tough day. On this particular day, we were in the planning stages of what seemed to be God weaving a ministry opportunity into our lives. A more accurate description of these ministry planning days might be that God was dropping a huge well-wrapped gift right into our already crazy, hectic lives. The Holy Spirit showed up more times than we can count to guide us into no more or no less of his plan.
Psalm 143:10-11- Teach me to do your will, for you are my god; may your good spirit lead me on level ground. For your name’s sake, Lord, preserve my life; in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble.
The hebrew word for level is miyshowr. A level or even place, but it also means uprightness, made straight, justice or uprightness. Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Romans 12:9-13
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