This morning my husband and I went out to watch the first sunrise of the New Year. It’s a little tradition we have. We’ve watched the New Year’s sunrise, every New Year’s morning for over a decade. But this year, the sky was shrouded in clouds.
We couldn’t see the sun coming up. I was disappointed, but I knew, in this orderly universe God created, that even though I couldn’t see it rising in the East, I knew that behind those clouds was the sun, shining as brightly as ever.
As I watched the horizon for any trace of sunshine, I was reminded of things I’d prayed and hoped for this past year. As I thought back over the events of 2015, I could see that God was moving in our lives …(you know hindsight is 20/20)….even tho at the time I couldn’t see. Somewhere, behind the clouds of my life, the God I serve was moving.
I wrote most of this post sitting in the car “watching the sunrise.” (that I couldn’t see) And on the way home, I handed what I had written to my husband to read….then we started counting our blessings of 2015. The list went on and on….for us, for our children, for our extended family, our jobs, our home, for our friends. We were amazed at our list. Wow.
Of course the year had its share of difficulties. Growth doesn’t take place on the mountain top….it’s in the valleys that growth takes place. Although trials are no fun… looking back we could see that by placing our faith in Him, we made it through. That increases our faith.
I’m glad the sun wasn’t shining for us to see this morning…it made me start the new year off by looking back and seeing what God did for us last year. I was encouraged to realize that God was faithful in the big things, as well as the little things. In the good times and the difficult times.
Were all my prayers answered? No, not at all… But seeing what God has done in the past, increases my faith for the future…that He will continue to work, as He has promised. It’s good to know we can be confident in the new year, that whether we see it or not, God is actively involved in things that pertain to us. He has promised that
“He will accomplish everything He is set forth to do in our lives”. Isaiah 55:11
So for us, looking back and seeing God’s hand in our lives strengthens our faith. And that’s a very good….because…. the more our faith grows, the more we please Him.
“Without faith it is impossible to please God.” Hebrews 11:6
So dear reader, I pray you know God is blessing you this year, even when you can’t see it…
I pray you know it’s Him.
Every Good and Perfect gift is from above. James 1:17
And I wish each and every one of you a very Happy New Year!
