2010 has been a great year. 2010 has its ups and downs and 2010 has certainly given me and taught me a lot.
I started out my 2010 with apprehension yet i had a little hope in me for a new start. I made a resolution that i wanted 2010 to be a year of thanksgiving, to learn to give thanks in all circumstances. Indeed, it has been a year that i would say is overflowing with thanksgiving in my heart.
In 2010, i' ve gained new friendships in Perth, which by God's grace and blessings, have become friendships that i know will last for a lifetime and these best friends of mine, they are like family to me now. And over in Singapore, although i am in Perth most of the time in the year, old friendships still remain strong.
I gained new perspectives too. 2010 has shown me what matters to me most. 2010 has taught me to become stronger, to be more confident about myself and to be more independent, yet knowing that there are times that i can allow myself to be vulnerable too.
As 2010 came to an end, i approached 2011 with that bit of apprehension in my heart. 2011 is a year which i find myself standing at crossroads as i make certain decisions about my future, which makes me scared because i have no idea what's it going to be like.
But as i look back at 2010, i am reminded of that assurance that no matter what happens, God will guide me through it. Whatever that happens, happens for a reason. My God knows the blueprint of my life, He knows my every thought and He listens to each of my prayers. He will grant me that confidence and courage that i lack.
So, in 2011, i want to seek God first in everything, in every decision and every step of the way. Even though i have no idea what 2011 will be like, even though as i stand at the crossroad, not knowing which road i should take, but i know that God knows and if i trust in Him and follow Him, it will all be good. Just gotta keep having faith.
"33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6: 33-34
have i ever mentioned, how much i like my room in college? haha. weird i know. but seriously, as i sit on my chair at my table, looking out of the window, seeing the clear and pretty blue sky and the green trees... i like it. haha :)
i hope, next time, wherever i may be, i can have a room.. something like this :)
Quiet Times
"Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge n him" (Psalms 24:8).
Some of my favorite times are those quiet times when I feel myself engulfed by the warm love of God. His arms wrapped around me, holding me near to Him. He is truly a loving Father.
His love for us is never-ending. His grace is immeasurable. As His children, we should all know what it means to "taste and see that the Lord is good." This is often hard to do as we are so distracted by the cares of this life. But if we could just clear our minds and focus on God and His goodness, we might begin to understand this a little more each time we come to Him in those blessed quiet times.
Quiet Times
Quiet fills the house
as each have gone their separate ways
yet I am not afraid
within the quiet of this still embrace.
I bask in the warm hug
the emptiness provides,
and slip into the silence
to hide and seek alone.
A cup of coffee and my easy chair
prepare to add to this enchanting bliss.
I sink myself into them both,
a sweet kiss of morning love.
Revealing now in unchurned air
I move my hand as to beckon the letters
from the table drawer.
I open them and soon begin
to drink in every letter--every word.
Raising eyes briefly time to time
to query my aloneness in secure.
I feel enjoined within the hour
to my gracious God,
through love and letters,
within His living Word.
Quiet fills the house,
and all have gone their separate ways.
And I am loved
within the quiet of this lasting still embrace.
Today, take time to be with God. Tell Him you love Him. Tell Him what you love about Him. And lose yourself in His love. Be sure to clear your mind of all distractions. If you do not think that will be easy, ask God to help. You will not be disappointed. Just taste, and see that the Lord is good.
Sometimes, it's good to have some quietness.. like how it is for me now at the moment. I'm back in Perth, back in college. There aren't many people in college in the summer as not many of them are doing summer school, so there's only like 4 or 5 of us in the whole college. I found it a little difficult initially, with all the quietness after being used to college as a place where there are always many people around.. But after a few days, i think i am slowly starting to adjust to this quietness.
And it is good, this quietness. It gives me the space and the time to think through things and pray about them. and like what the devotional reading for today says.. "to take time to be with God" that is also very important. Sometimes, we get so carried away with all the hustle and bustle in life that we don't really set aside much time to spend it with God, i too am guilty of that.
Sometimes, it is during times of quietness that God speaks to us most clearly..
