The Day Before the End…
The day before the end… I can’t believe that another year is almost over. This year has been a walk of faith for me but God has proven Himself to me over and over again. I am excited to see what this New Year is going to bring.
When I was a little girl it was a tradition to go to service on New Year’s Eve and “bring in the New Year, in church.” As an adult the tradition is still ingrained in me. To me there is something wonderful about ending the old year as I began it and starting the New Year as I want to end it… in the house of God, in the presence of the Lord.
It never ceases to amaze me the sense of child-like awe, wonder and expectancy I feel when I enter God’s house. I am excited as a child about to unwrap a much awaited and longed for gift, not sure what it is but knowing that something wonderful waits within. The beautiful thing about going into the house of God is that I always leave feeling refreshed, renewed and eager to face whatever challenges life throws my way.
I can totally relate to how David felt when he said, “I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord. Psalm 122:1″ God’s house for me is a place to lose myself in the wonder of his presence and allow his sweet Holy Spirit to minister to my hurts, lift my burdens, renew my joys and give me courage to face another day, week, month, year… with him by my side to guide and direct me.
You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God, and I will exalt you. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Psalm 118:28-29
Father, thank you for your guidance throughout 2008, I pray your protection over each of us during the remainder of this year. As we approach a New Year, renew our desire to serve you, increase our faith that we would hold fast to the promises that you have made us, give us courage to share whatever you lay on our hearts in this coming year.
Amen to that Bernadine. You are right, being in His house does bring us refreshment and renewal. I too am excited for 2009…Happy New Year my friend.
Thank you for sharing your heart with us…
I love you my friend, and I pray many sweet blessings for you in 2009.
There is nothing like being in the House of God. Whenever we have to miss a service (which is rare since we are one of the Pastors…ha ha) but once in awhile we go on vacation or because of a holiday we will not have services and there is such a void it seems when we are not in Gods house like usual.
Sometimes even in our personal walk with God, we experience that kind of void too … being in the presence of God is an awesome thing.
Thanks for the reminder to start our new year off with the presence of our Lord….Laurie
Thank you for sharing this thought. I was just commenting on how I sometimes go to church because I HAVE to, not because I want to. Your memory of New Years in church is wonderful. It doesn’t always seem to be a “high holiday” of the church. But this reflection of yours hit my heart. Thank you.
That is a great verse and a great post to end the year, thank you.
Amen! I agree with you 100%. Unfortunately, so few churches have these anymore in the States – at least where I live. But, I can remember years ago when our children were young, we were in a church that got together every New Years Eve. We would eat together, play games and then have a special service starting at 11:30 pm. Wonderful memories for us and our children. It’s the kind of legacy we should all desire to pass down – hearts and lives full of praise.
Thank you for this post.
Like water for a thirsty soul is God’s House for His children….thank you for the wonderful words!