I love beginnings, fresh starts.
A newborn baby with all the hope of a wonderful future ahead.
Morning rain showers followed by a rainbow, glistening leaves and a sweet, fresh aroma.
A new Bible with crisp pages ready to be annotated with messages from Your heart to mine.
As we begin 2018, I'm diving into a new calendar, yes I still use the printed kind! I love the host of empty spaces waiting to have important dates recorded in pencil and ink. A sweet friend of mine uses colorful pens to distinguish between events. Me, I'm not so organized, but this does not diminish my excitement for my entries. This year my holds my son's college graduation date, birthdays of family and friends, a 30th anniversary vacation with my love. My calendar is a symbol of a renewed sense of opportunity, anticipation of good things to come this year, my hope.
In my reading this past week, Deuteronomy 11 records the Children of Israel preparing to cross the Jordan River after Elohim's deliverance from Egypt and their desert wanderings They must have been excited for the future ahead, or maybe terrified. The land the Israelites were entering was a gift from the LORD. He was promising a bountiful gift with homes, fields which they needed to settle the land and be comfortable settle the land. All that was required was for them to love and serve Jehovah with all their heart and soul.
In this passage, God spoke to them of things to come, and it spoke to my heart as I prayed for this new year. While reading the LORD's words, I heard Him whisper "year” instead of “land” to my heart. Here is how versus 10-15 sounded as I prayed the words back to Him:
The year you are entering is not like the year from which you have come, but the year you are to take possession of is a year of mountains and valleys that drink rain from heaven. It is a year the LORD your God cares for; the eyes of the LORD your God are continually on it from the beginning of the year to its end. So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today—to love the LORD your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul— then I will send showers of blessings on your year in its season, both autumn and spring showers, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and olive oil. I will provide grass in the fields so that you will eat and be satisfied.
Maybe 2017 was not your best year, perhaps you are weary from the struggles, losses and disappointments? Hear your Abba, Father's promises:
The coming year will be different from last year.
We are to "take possession" of our future. We are not insignificant bystanders who survive the circumstances of our lives, but we are overcomers, warriors of the King of kings.
Our year will "drink rain from heaven." The Author and Creator of our salvation will provide all we need directly from heaven as a refreshing "drink" on the mountains (good times) and valleys (your struggles).
Yahweh cares about what is ahead for you. His eyes are on your life from beginning to end. He will not leave you or forsake you. Not one detail of your life will be overlooked.
If we sincerely love and faithfully serve Elohim, then we can expect to see Him sending "showers" in our circumstances, like spring and autumn rains producing grain, new wine, olive oil and grass in the field.
Our Abba Father will satisfy our hearts for He is ALL we need.
The first official post for Chalk Borders was on April 22 last year. My prayer partners of 14 years believed our LORD called us to begin something new. We didn't really know how to really go about it, but knew His faithfulness to us and our families could bring encouragement to other parents. While many of last year's posts were about families, children, parenting, etc., many of the lessons were applicable to any believer striving to grow in their relationship with Almighty God. Our hope is that as you have read our posts thus far, you were blessed.
As we pray for what the LORD desires for 2018, dedicating our efforts, time and attention to serving the God of gods, I feel the burden of a more basic need. Although we live in a country where clean water flows from the numerous taps in our homes, we are still very thirsty spiritually. Everywhere we turn there is abundance, yet this world is not satisfied. Our world needs rain from heaven on the mountains and valleys of our hearts. This year the moms of Circle 2 Plus will pray our heavenly Father grows Chalk Borders in depth of wisdom and breadth of love for each of you as we walk through this year together.
Creator, Elohim, Sustainer of our lives,
The only hope for a thirsty, unsatisfied world is You. Please help us obey the commands You have established, to love and serve You alone so we may experience heavenly nourishment to satisfy our souls. We desire to glorify You as Father, Savior and Holy Spirit. Knit us together in faithfulness, encouraging each other as we enter this new year anticipating showers to nourish our hearts. May Your Presence in our lives quench every thirst, hunger and need. May we be truly grateful for Your holy provision this year, Thank You, Alpha and Omega, beginning and the end. Amen