“For your steadfast love is great to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the clouds.”
~ Psalm 57:10 (ESV)
Only 2 days left in 2010. I really cannot believe how fast 2010 went by. How about you? Did God teach you some valuable lessons the past year? Did you grow closer to Him?
I have to admit that 2010 was a year of sheer emotions; all of them have made me grow though. The good with the bad. I had a really hard time in October coming to terms with my age, with lost opportunities, mistakes I have made in the past.
Thankfully during that time I had a great friend, who encouraged me. You know, God is good and He will never leave you by yourself with your emotions. The most important part I have learned during 2010 is that with all things happening, they all have a reason.
I know, sometimes things happen that no one seems to see a reason for it (for myself not making the planned trip to see my family). I know that some of my friends have had a hard year as well; be it financially, marital problems, health issues, loosing loved ones. You ask: is there a good reason for all these issues? I do not have the answer, but I do know that it showed me personally that I can trust God seeing me through all the low points of life. And that, my dear friend, I am very thankful for.
I am looking forward to 2011 with new hopes and dreams, knowing that all is good, because God is in control.
What are you thankful for today? Please do share with us by leaving your link to your Thankful Thursday post below. Please remember that in the month of January my dear friend Lynn from “Spiritually Unequal Marriage” is hosting Thankful Thursdays.
Thank you for stopping by today. Remember: no matter if you find yourself in the lowest valley or the highest mountain top, God is there with you.
Happy New Year,
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I am thankful that my baby boy got to come home before Christmas. He was born 6 weeks early. Prayers were answered!
I am thankful that my baby boy got to come home before Christmas. He was born 6 weeks early. Prayers were answered!
This has been a big year around here, too. Big, scary, not great in many ways, but so good in others. God’s presence on the mountain tops is awesome, but His presence in the valleys is what really gets us through. Something to be thankful for indeed!
Hi Iris,
It is indeed unbelievable that 2 more days and we are entering into a new year with our dear Lord! Thank God for seeing us through another year and I too look forward to the new year with new hopes and dreams.
Truly the Lord is good in all His ways. I am so thankful that He has brought you through many challenges this year and you have grown so much in Him. He has also in His mercies brought me through many ups and downs, and I am learning to rest in Him as I witnessed time and again how wonderfully He works His ways for me. All praise and glory be to Him!
Take care and a very God Blessed New Year to you and your loved ones!
Warm regards,
Nancie
I love the encouragement you ended with in this post.
Happy 2011 to you my friend.
Hugs to you,
Bethany
Thanks so much for hosting us this month! May you have a wonderfully thankful new year!
Hello and soooo HAPPY I’m able to join in with everyone this week.. Thanks so much Iris…And may the remainder of your week be a blessed one and all through you New Year too~~~Hugs Dena
So true that all is good because God is in control! I need to hear that over and over again! Thanks for hosting this month!
I’m so thankful Iris that you host TT. I’m so thankful too that we can trust God for all things. He’s a good God and He has great plans for each one of us. Blessings to you!
Great post, Iris. Psalm 57:10 is a special favorite of mine.
I pray that this year will be your greatest year ever!
Thank you so much, Iris, for hosting Thankful Thursday. Praise God for all His blessings. He is faithful!
Iris, thank you for hosting Thankful Thursday. Have a wonderful year in 2011! God is faithful. He never fails.
I also love the encouragement found in your last line. Blessings to you in the coming year.
may the new year continue to bring you grace, blessings and perspective about challenges. He is always with us – even during tough times! Remain encouraged!
Thanks for letting me join! This was my first time linking up. Have a great day Everyone!
Iris,
This year has been a time of great testing; yet, through it all God has been and IS faithful!
Even though I don’t know what the future holds (as none of us do), I know Him, and that He can be trusted to direct my paths and lead me and my family safely on.
“Hitherto has the Lord helped us”…and He always will.
A blessed New Year to you,
Marsha
I did grow this year. A great deal, actually, if I look back. I too, have had a very emotional year, and 2011 looks to be the same. I have learned this past year to cling tenaciously to the promises that Jesus will NEVER leave me to walk alone, that HE is the finisher and author of my faith, and that when I say that HE is in control, I actually mean it.
I’ve learned what it means to really surrender, though I can’t explain it.
I’ve learned what it means to literally “let go and let God.” Which is a phrase I have NEVER understood, as far as actually doing it goes. I now know how to do it – though I could never give a step-by-step lesson. It’s something I just had to let Him teach me.
I could go on and on about the areas I’ve grown in. It has been a painfully stretching, challenging, “growth” year for me. And I’m so glad I’m at the end of it. I feel ready for 2011, and face it with HOPE.
Oh! Precious HOPE!!!
May your day today be joyous, Iris – and thank you for being such a gracious hostess for Thankful Thursday. ((hugs))
I also had a tough year with a lot of ups and downs, but it has also been a year of tremendous spiritual growth for me. I’m really seeing that trials really can be blessings when they draw us closer to the Lord.
Happy New Year, Iris! Yes, it has been a big year, full of challenges and blessings. But through it all, God’s mercy and love abounded! Thanks for the encouraging post to cheer my day!
Living for Him, Joan
I loved your post Iris and I agree “I am looking forward to 2011 with new hopes and dreams, knowing that all is good, because God is in control.”
Thanks for sharing and thanks for Thankful Thursday!
Have a Happy New Year!
What an encouraging post. The anti-spam word that came up just now is Mercy. Where would we be without God’s mercy? What would the world be like if we did not impart mercy on others? Hmm. Something to ponder!
Happy Thankful Thursday, and a very Happy New Year, too 🙂
Iris,
I adore you….
I am looking forward to 2011 with new hopes and dreams, knowing that all is good, because God is in control.
Amen… And may I just add, I will be praying next week during our fast that your passion becomes your livelihood. You are amazingly gifted and God has BIG plans for you. Hugs.
Hi Iris,
I’m late on my New Year’s greeting! Thank you for sharing your heart in this message! My prayer is that 2011 will bring ALL of God’s best for you and your family. May you walk with His love, patience and tender mercies which we see new each and every day. He’s an amazing GOD even in the midst of the valley low’s. As I stand in one now I’m giving HIM ALL THE PRAISE!
Blessed New Year to you!
Much love,
Lisa
P.S. Love that my word is REDEEMED on your anti=spam