New Year, New Word

Holy Moley! I can't believe where time has gone and how long it's been since I've posted anything. Sheesh! But today I got a writer's itch and have been thinking about how I can be more intentional with not just my blog, but with my days. The last few years, I've noticed friends not coming up with New Year's Resolutions, but rather, a word to define 365 days. This makes sense to me. And I've decided to hop onto the bandwagon and ditch the resolution-making and seek a word that will help me focus my daily existence.

The word that I have chosen for 2012 is "BEAUTY". I want to observe the beauty in creation. I want to see the beauty in relationships. I desire to recognize the beauty in my work and play. But more than this, I want to contribute beauty to this world. I want my life to be so full of beauty that it points others to God.

I would like to use this blog space, not just for posting a devotion or two a month, but for journaling about the beauty that I am fortunate enough to experience; and I'll start with something that I saw today.

In today's church service there was a baptism. A young man had decided to accept Jesus as His Lord and Savior and make a public confession of his devotion to living a life that will be Christ centered. His parents had the blessing of introducing him to the church family and ushering him into this new life. I can only imagine the excitement that this brought to his parents. Not only did they get to experience his physical birth, but they also got to share in his spiritual birth.

What made this event beautiful to me was that it demonstrates exactly what God desires for families. A father and mother, not just taking care of a child's physical needs, but also instructing him in the ways of being a follower of Christ. God must be so proud of this family! They are being obedient and as a result, will be blessed!

Lord, I pray that this year, I will not only be able to observe beauty in others and my circumstances, but also to do my part in making this life beautiful for others so that it directs them to You and only You. Show me each day exactly how to do that. Thank you for enduring promises that confirm that You will never leave us or forsake us and that You have abundant blessings in store for those who choose, each day, to be obedient.