A New Hope…

“But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”” ~ Matthew 19:26 (ESV)

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Laurel, at Laurel Wreath, had asked us to share our hopes and dreams for 2007…”What would you like to see God do in your life? How would you like to see Him move in things?”

I have been thinking about these questions for weeks now…and praying…and thinking…and praying.

I really don’t know if I have a clear answer to it, yet. But I do want to share from heart a couple of things with you; hopes and dreams that are hopefully inline with God’s will and not just something I wish or hope for.

I know that God is huge. I know that He can do mighty things — He has proven that over and over in my life. Do I always listen to Him? Sometimes I do, but most likely I kick and scream because I think that God has it all wrong. Like a couple of years ago He nudged me to respect my husband. “God, I think that do respect Him” “No, you don’t. You take Him for granted”…Or last year “God, Daniel really needs a job. You said You would be there for him” “Be patient — the right job will come along”…Yeah God was right in both accounts.

My hopes and dreams for 2007? That our son will continue to enjoy the job he took in December of 2006. That I will be the best wife I humanly can be. That God will heal my mom so she might be able to take the long trip to the US (12 hour flight) and spend time with us (why do I tear up when I think about my mom…). That God will show me a way to reconcile with people that hurt me over the years and the people I have hurt. That I will be closer to God and walk the path He has laid out before me. That God may use me as His hands and feet to reach out to the hurting, believers and un-believers alike…

I pray and hope that I will not stand in the way of God. That I will recognize when He is nudging me. That I will follow His voice and not walk in the wrong direction. That I am walking in step with Him — not behind and not run ahead…If it means to get up at 4am every morning to just be with Him, I will. I want to live healthier, not only physically, but also spiritually. I want to be bold to witness, without being annoying. I want to lay off my pride. I want to be encouraging to women who come across my blog…I want to me a woman after God’s own heart…

Lord of Heaven and Earth. I come before You this first day of a new year to ask You to guide me. I know that You love me — let me never forget that. Lord, help me to hear You and follow Your voice this year. I am trusting in Your mercy. I pray this in the precious name of the One who took the nails for me. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen

Do you have hopes and dreams this year. Did you share them with Laurel and the rest of us?

Blessings on 2007 and as always…

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27 Replies to “A New Hope…”

  1. I too know God is huge. I will pray this year you will be able to see your mom, I can imagine how heart breaking it is, and so many questions why. But God is in the middle he knows our desires.

    This to could be my prayer also, great words of wisdom

    “I pray and hope that I will not stand in the way of God. That I will recognize when He is nudging me. That I will follow His voice and not walk in the wrong direction. That I am walking in step with Him — not behind and not run ahead…If it means to get up at 4am every morning to just be with Him, I will. I want to live healthier, not only physically, but also spiritually. I want to be bold to witness, without being annoying. I want to lay off my pride. I want to be encouraging to women who come across my blog…I want to be a woman after God’s own heart…” !!!!

    Happy New Year and thank you for being such a Christian example and encouragement to me.

    Blessings.

  2. “That God may use me as His hands and feet to reach out to the hurting, believers and un-believers alike”….

    Oh, Iris! May I join you? THAT is the heart of Christ — His love poured out.

    Father… we are Your handmaidens. Use even us.

    Every blessing, Iris…
    All is gift,
    Ann V.

  3. I do not always listen to God. I rail against his plan and try to plod along and create my own plan. I am giving myself over to God this year also. I hope and pray that your mother is well enough to travel and that you are able to spend some time with her. I also pray that God blesses you and your family during this upcoming year. Happy New Year!

  4. I join you in hoping and praying that I don’t stand in God’s way!

    I pray that He brings the desires of your heart into fruition.

    New Year’s blessings to you!

  5. “I pray and hope that I will not stand in the way of God. That I will recognize when He is nudging me. That I will follow His voice and not walk in the wrong direction. That I am walking in step with Him — not behind and not run ahead…If it means to get up at 4am every morning to just be with Him, I will. I want to live healthier, not only physically, but also spiritually. I want to be bold to witness, without being annoying. I want to lay off my pride. I want to be encouraging to women who come across my blog…I want to me a woman after God’s own heart…”

    These are also my thoughts exactly! (I just don’t know how to write them in my own blog!) Thank you and Happy New Year!

  6. Thanks for sharing. Congrats again to your son. You’ve done an excellent job of raising him. :~)

    I’ve been making notes about my hopes and dreams for 2007. My biggest goal involves offering more Christian hospitality. We are about to embark on some major home renovations which will accomodate that goal… I’m so excited! I also need to get back into a regular fitness program. My husband is keen to take ballroom/salsa dancing classes together. Happy New Year!

  7. In reading other’s comments, I see that many appreciated what you shared, as did I. The section that stood out to me the most was where you wrote, “I pray and hope that I will not stand in the way of God. That I will recognize when He is nudging me. That I will follow His voice and not walk in the wrong direction. That I am walking in step with Him — not behind and not run ahead…”

    I do so hope the Lord will enable you to spend time with your mom. That would be hard to be far apart. Tears, my dear, what love is shown through those tears! The Lord knows the desires of your heart and sees each tear you shed.

    God bless you as you seek to follow after Him each day. :0) Happy New Year!

  8. Can I just take your thoughts and copy them for my hopes for 2007. I want to believe God this year, that He can do all things. I also am praying that I put my pride aside and just get out of God’s way.

    Thank you for your words today, and for encouraging all of us to seek God’s heart. Maybe we should give you your “Encourager of the Month” award. 🙂

  9. Ditto on Janna’s comment ;)….I just don’t know where I personally would be or if The Whippoorwill Chronicles would even continue to exist, if it weren’t for your support this past year. As you know, I am very guilty of standing in God’s way…thankfully I have friends like you that gently encourage me to listen for the lessons God has to teach me. Happy New Year!!!

  10. Iris,
    That was so beautifully written. As usual. I so pray that God gives you the desires of your heart. That you can spend time with your mom, especially. I also pray that He blesses you as I’m sure He delights in you. You are a wonderful inspiration to all of us!
    DeeDee

  11. Iris,
    You so spoke to me with your writing today. Thank you for being so transparent and honest. I don’t want to stand in God’s way, either, but it is sometimes hard to step back and give Him control, isn’t it? May God richly bless you in this New Year!

    Janis

  12. “I pray and hope I will not stand in the way of God.” Amen! Don’t we all at times present ourselves as an obstacle in God’s plan for us, and others. Thanks for sharing your heart, Iris!

  13. Oh Iris you always inspire me. Thank you for the encouragement on my blog re respecting our husbands and the book Love and Respect. I can already see what a life-changer that book will be (helping me not to take my husband for granted). I, too, pray that I don’t get in God’s way and that I recognize His nudges. Blessings to you in 2007!

  14. Iris, I will pray in agreement with you that your Mom will be able to visit you this year. I know what a blessing it will be for you.

    Thank you for all the way you encourage and inspire me. Blessings to you today and always.

  15. I’d just like to join the others in supporting and encouraging you, Iris. May He hold you in the palm of His hand throughout the coming year.

  16. I hope and pray that you have a blessed year!

    My resolutions are posted on my blog (they consist of us hopefully finishing building the bigger house and also me organizing my pictures). As for other things though…I really want to show my kindness to others more often…I want to be able to lend a helping hand and not expect anything in return…I want to set a good example for my children and be their best friend too, I also want to be the loving wife that my husband deserves (we have a wonderful marriage), and I want to be strong in my faith…I want to go to Church on more of a regular basis (we are members of a great Church that is around a hour away from us).

  17. I am one of those who knows it all happens for a reason but never know the reason. I trust God but don’t always rely on Him as I should… in 2007, I pray that changes.

  18. Standing in the way of God……..sigh!! I have done that so many times in my life, this year will be different. Thank you for your encouragement Iris! God will work a good work, and I pray I can be a woman who will shine so others will know that God does exsist in me!! Be Blessed in 2007!!

  19. Iris, once again your humble, beautiful spirit has struck me. Your transparency, gentleness, and heart for God are refreshing — and amazing.

    Thank you for being such an inspiration!

    2007 has already started off on a COMPLETELY different foot than I could ever have imagined. I’ll be blogging about it in a couple of days.

    In the meantime, I do know that the Lord has been working in both Eric and me in the area of walking in faith — faith without seeing — and in the continual “laying it all down before Him and not trying to pick it back up again.”

    Blessings on you, my friend. I’m sorry I haven’t been “around the blogs” much — I’ve been spending more of my online time on my writing pursuits, and less on pleasure reading.

    I’m glad I stopped by today!

  20. Iris, you often seem to articulate much of what could fit my life, too :). I know you don’t write flippantly or without thought, perhaps those things draw me to “Sting”.

    I so hope your mother recovers so she CAN make the trip to see you; after living this past year+ with my father unable to … do anything for himself, I know, intimately so, the desire a child has to spend time with a parent…. If/WHEN this happens for you, I know you’ll seize the opportunity to TALK with your mom…ask all those questions that perhaps you were too timid to ask when you were younger, or perhaps those questions that you avoided b/c you knew she didn’t really want to talk about them. There are some things I wonder that I will NEVER know b/c my mom died when I was a child and my father is incapable of telling me.

    The other thing that stuck with me in your post is about restoring/reconciling relationships that are damaged. That is a lovely hope for the new year; I think many people fail to realize that this alone can stunt spiritual growth…harboring ill feelings and not extending mercy to others. I can’t see you as doing either of these things, but sometimes when someone else has treated you this way, it’s difficult to love them “in spite” of…

    All the other hopes/goals you mentioned were lovely pursuits, praying that God transforms you as you seek Him in ALL things :).

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