"Resolution"

I still have birthday and Christmas posts to catch up on, but along with the rest of the world, I've been thinking a lot about the past year and looking forward to a new one. As I reflect over 2013, I am just amazed by God's mercy and faithfulness. Even when things get a little (or a lot) crazy and don't go according to "the plan" (I'm looking at you, ever-changing closing date!) He does not change. His ways are perfect and good. Time and time again, He has proven himself trustworthy. Why do I ever doubt?  Even more profound to me than his providence and perfection (which are easier for my intellect to accept) is his motivation - he loves.  He loves his creation. He loves his people. He loves me. My heart of hearts is startled by this. Humbled, broken, healed, comforted, astounded, awed.... oh, the list could go on and on. How great is his love!

With this growing understanding of my Lord, I have been drawn to these verses from Ephesians 3 as I look to 2014:

Ephesians 3:14-21
For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may well in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

This year will bring even more change - moving into our new home, bringing a third child into our family, embarking on a new chapter of parenthood: the school years, and many other things we don't even know of yet. New challenges will have to be faced as we settle into our life and calling here. We also have a lot of dreams and hopes for what God will do in and through us here. My natural (sinful) inclination is to sit down and make a list of how to do All The Things.

Instead, I am resolving to spend more time praying these verses over our family for this season. May we root ourselves in him, being strengthened and filled by his Spirit. May we grow daily in our understanding of how great his love is for us. May we trust and follow him each day. For his glory may he do immeasurable more than we could ask or imagine. Amen!