I watched the sun rise on 2013 from where I am in Fredericksburg, Texas. I’m here for several months working on a film project and the view from my front porch is phenomenal. This is a photo of a recent sunrise from the front porch of our little apartment.
As we are starting a new year I like to think of the sunrise on this next season of my life as being beautiful and clear. Any clouds that are in the sky will just help the sun paint even more beautiful colors on the canvas of my life. I want to think that this whole year will be smooth sailing in every area of my life: relationships, ministry, film-making, and life in general. That is a desire I have.
As I look back over 2012 there are so many beautiful and amazing memories. Memories of things accomplished and moments enjoyed. Enjoying an Easter sunrise service with just the Love of My Life and myself. Taking a walk in the bracing autumn air in Tennessee. Swimming in the Gulf with family and friends. A beautiful weekend on a lake somewhere in east Texas. Playing games into the evening. Meeting with men in early morning hours. Back-rubs, given and received. Watching the sun set and the moon rise on Enchanted Rock with Stacie, Peter, and Katie. Seeing people struggle with epic questions of faith- and choosing to leave Islam behind in order to follow Christ.
But there were also the days of repeatedly doing the same mundane tasks over and over again. Days of praying for strength and light for the journey. Times of grieving for friends who have passed on before us. Days of difficult decisions about uncertain outcomes. Dark days, and I know that every year will have some of these.
That is why this Scripture passage is one of my favorites:
Lamentations 3:19-26
Remember my affliction and roaming, The wormwood and the gall.
My soul still remembers And sinks within me.
This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope.
Through the LORD’S mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not.
They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.
“The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!”
The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him.
It is good that one should hope and wait quietly For the salvation of the LORD.
(NKJV)
I look forward to 2013 with great anticipation because of the LORD’s faithfulness. A year from now I will be telling you what He has done this year!