Lessons Learned

We're only four weeks into the New Year, and I feel like much has happened; and that there have been many lessons learned.
I've been able to see how God answers prayers in ways I did not expect.
I've been learning to face challenges, conflicts, and heavy responsibilities.
I've been dealing with brokenness and seeing how that ties in with my theme this year.
I've been working through dealing with some pain as I had once again been pricked by my "thorn"

I do hope that through all this, I will become more and more the person He created me to be.  That I may walk closer with HIM and become more like HIM.

Yesterday's study in James 4 actually had some pretty important lessons to learn.   God gives grace to the humble, to those who submit to HIM and resist the devil; and the devil will actually flee from us when we do that.  When we feel that God is far away, we just need to draw near to HIM and He will draw near to us.  We are to come before HIM in holiness, fully cleansed and purified.  And we are to be truly grieved by sin.  Moreover, we are not to be arrogant enough to disobey God's law, for He is the one and only Lawgiver and Judge; and we are not to be foolish enough to make plans without including God in them.

As I've been watching the US Figure Skating National Championships, there were lessons to be learned there as well.  It was so clear that a strong foundation is essential to build upon.  Also, that there can be victory after failure.   And for goals that a person has worked hard, focused upon, and sacrificed for; the emotions that go with the highs are lows are so strong because the person has poured themselves into it.

I am grateful that for the past couple of weekends, I've had some "downtime" to find some renewal and rest.  I continue to pray for strength and guidance through all that comes up in my life.