Faithful
Today is my 28th birthday and I woke up with a praise song in my heart. It goes a little something like this:
“Never once did we ever walk alone. Never once did You leave us on our own. You are faithful, God you are faithful.”
A testimony of God’s faithfulness to me and how fitting that I should wake up singing it on my birthday. A reminder of the past and a promise for the future.
In my quiet time, I also finished reading through Deuteronomy today. Fitting that today’s reading ended Israels’ time in the wilderness and looks forward to a new step in their journey. (Although, I must admit that by their own doing their future ends up a little bleak). Deuteronomy is all about the state of the Israelites’ heart and remembering the Lord’s faithfulness to them so that their heart would stay tuned to Him. It is about not forgetting the lessons learned in the wilderness as they enter the Promised Land and the land of abundance and blessings. Yet again, I feel that this is so applicable to my present situation. As I finish up my time here in the “wilderness” (well, not quite, but follow along with the analogy) and enter the land of abundance will I remember the lessons I have been taught? Will my heart remain turned towards the Lord or will I chase after other gods and idols?
As I look back over this past year, I am simply filled with thankfulness. Thankfulness that I’m not even sure how to express. An overwhelming gratitude to God who has been so faithful to me. Who has brought me to the wilderness to learn hard lessons, reveal my idols, remove the filth of my heart, and bring healing and love to my soul. Truly, His mercies are new every morning, His steadfast love never ceases, great is His faithfulness to me!
I am so excited as I look to the next year of my life. What will it bring? Only God knows and only time will tell! This past year was a great one and I know the next will be as well. As I continue to walk with faith as I follow after the Lord, I have the assurance that whatever may come, He will still be faithful.
…..
I woke up this morning to a fully decorated living room and roommates perhaps far more excited about my birthday than I was. Packages sent from home full of surprises and thoughtful notes and gifts! In honor of my birthday, I was served bacon, eggs, and cheese grits for breakfast and the computer was playing all country music all the time. Fitting, I think.
Dinner included some of the best fried chicken (you know I like my chicken fried), mashed potatoes, and biscuits I may have ever had – either that or I’ve been in Africa too long! We even had mini- cakes for each person…mine of course was iced with chocolate icing! Yum! My roommates worked very hard to make sure that today was special and full of things that I love! That apparently involves all things fried, cheese, and chocolate : )
I have been so blessed. I am so grateful.