The Dawn of a New Year & Introducing Words of Life Wednesdays

A fresh slate.

A crisp clean page to write another chapter of our lives.

Peering over the horizon with boundless possibilities.

It's the dawn of a new year.

The unknown ushers in excitement mixed with apprehension and perhaps even trepidation.

Beginnings.

Full of promise and anticipation and possibly even exhilaration.

I love beginnings.

I'm a great starter.

Ahh, but, I'm also a stellar staller—one that brings great laid plan to a standstill.

When I get to the end of the year and regret all that I failed to accomplish I love the fact that I get a fresh start every 365 days.

Another chance to refocus and reorient my dreams and aspirations for me and my children.

But with the resolving comes fear.

Fear that I'll let everyone down once again. A foreboding sense that I won't accomplish anything I set out to do or become.

A new year full of possibilities that will be sure to be pummelled and beaten to a pulp. 

Do I dare hope that this year will be any different?

Do I risk setting myself up for great things to take an even greater tumble?

Do I forge ahead into unknown lands or remain in my comfort zone from fear of failing?

The way I've come to see it, the only way I can advance forward is to be assured of the presence of the Lord.

Just as Joshua was reassured that the Lord would be with him as he entered the promised land, the Lord has promised to be with me as I continue on in this exciting adventure of faith.

"It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”

There is no resolving until I am reassured of His presence.

I don't walk on this journey of faith alone.

I have step out into this broad new year with a leap of faith, but I put one foot in front of the other resting in the secure promise of God that He will be right there with me for every stumble and fall, and every triumph and victory.

It's not about me or what I accomplish it is all about who I am in Christ and the work He is doing that He has determined to do.

With that purpose I proceed.

A new resolution to refuse fear and rehash, "He will be with me."

"He will be with me."

I quietly began this little blog, A Soft Gentle Voice,  six years ago today, with the desire to listen to the Soft Gentle Voice of the Lord more faithfully. It is still my heart's desire to listen to God's Word and to share His love and faithfulness to others that may come by here for a brief visit or some that my decide to pull up a chair for awhile and pass along grace. 

I am excited for some changes to take place in the new year. I am introducing a theme on Wednesdays called "Words of Life" in which I'll share life giving words of God's Word, helping us to listen more intently to the Soft Gentle Voice of the One who has called us to Himself.

What Words of Life {God's Words that bring life} encourage you as we begin this new year?

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<a href="http://asoftgentlevoice.blogspot.ca" title="A Soft Gentle Voice"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq60tCePy_Q-ozkbGXypBYahNMPe9p5d7yLqEqd4HIPj7ZwSJejFWyo9tZky9HVPyqlaOAsuIASYSDYo42ZwwWDMRLUti_zpitplySau800p9bC-kqe3pXqE3L-baqOt8jGvZPJ6iP8SA/s200-no/Words-of-Life-Button-200.jpg" alt="A Soft Gentle Voice" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

{Watch for link-ups in the weeks to come.}

Later this week, I hope to share my one word for 2014.