Day 564 - December 31 - Out with the old...

Wow. This is my absolute favorite part of this website - the interaction and contributions that sometimes arise following something God allows me to post. I LOVE the discourse and thought that goes into all these comments, and adore it when I check the site and see "14 comments" at the bottom of a post instead of "0 comments". That's why it's always annoyed me just a bit when I hear "well, I thought about writing something but (insert 'lame reason for not doing so' here)..." Every single one of you is more than capable of being used by God to provide just that bit of insight or perspective that will be the thing I, or somebody else, needed to hear. So please don't hold back when you feel prompted to comment - it overjoys my heart to read what other people are thinking, especially about such difficult topics as the last post!

So "thank you" for those who posted over the last few days - for the book recommendations, for the reminders of Scripture, for the encouragement, and yes, even for the challenging questions and statements. I will be looking up the books, checking the verses, and using the questions and comments to check my compass bearings on my own journey after Christ, so seriously - thank you.

So today is the last day of 2009. Normally, New Years is a time when everyone looks forward at what they're going to do next year, but I'm thinking that this year, I'm going to do something that has more value. You see, if you're like me, most of your New Year's Resolutions (if you even make them) get dropped sometime around January 15, if you even make it that long. That's my usual experience with resolutions. The only person of whom I'm aware that has actually kept one is my daughter, Joélle, who decided in 2008 that she wasn't going to drink soda all year, and even in the midst of living in a hospital waiting room for four months she never broke down. Other than her, however, most folks I know don't really take their resolutions seriously, and that includes me. So forget 'em - instead, I'm gonna take a cue from Paul. He wrote in 1 Corinthians 13:11 about putting away childish things, and in 2 Corinthians 5 about how the old things have passed away, and the new has come. I've decided that rather than just make another promise to myself that I'm not going to keep anyway, I'm just quit doing something I usually do instead. I'm going to quit being a philosopher about Christ, and try to be a believer in Him instead.

Because if you're a follower of Jesus Christ, you're more than a student, someone who learns about God; and you're more than a philosopher, somebody who thinks about Him - you're a believer. And it's the object of your faith that makes all the difference, or at least should. Too often I find myself thinking about how it's supposed to work, or trying to figure out what I'm missing that's keeping things from moving - and apart from the incredible hubris in that sentence, I'm also completely missing the point of my walk with Christ - that my relationship with Him ought to give me so much confidence in Him that I'm not shaken by things that enter my life. Now, obviously, I'm not there. But the experiences in my life ought to be moving me there.

So, I'm gonna quit thinking about Him so much, and try to start trusting Him more instead. We'll see if it lasts longer than January 15!

Connor continues to struggle with pain and discomfort in his body. You're prayers are greatly appreciated. He and Cherié have made some changes to the daily routine this week to see if that makes life any easier, and so far things look good. Continue to pray for them as they face each day.

E.

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