An amazing gift: A New Year

I know, I know, I know.  I again have to catch back up on my blog writing.  If I would just keep up, then I wouldn't have to worry about cramming all that has gone on, in one post.  Of course, I could make it really long, but that might be overwhelming, on both sides.

So now the holidays are over.  Thanksgiving, Christmas, then the new year flew right on by.  Our company came and went (we had loads of fun, by the way!), and now we are back to school (how does one go back to school after a two-week vacation?).  Yes, everything is getting back to normal. (normal?)  However, I have a confession:  I actually liked being out of the norm. 

All the excitement and hustle bustle that went on was, well, exciting.  Of course, a little rest is much appreciative, but after things settle down, life can seem a little...boring?...no!  Not really.  Seriously, after certain times pass, then we can look forward to the new things God will bring along.  That also brings excitement.

Now it is 2010.  It almost seems odd to me.  I have now been born for fifteen and a half years.  Fifteen years doesn't seem that long, yet...it is a long time!  God in His goodness and grace has so wonderfully blessed us with more than we could ever need.  True, in this world we may not be considered rich, but we do have the almighty Lord over all.  He is the richest blessing we could ever have.  He has given us a new year in which to live for His glory.  All praise to Him for that!  Isn't life such a precious gift?  Now He has given us more life on earth.  A new year is a bright, shining example that He still loves us.  Isn't He wonderful!

We should strive to serve Him more this new year, for didn't He give everything for us?  We can at least give Him a little in return!  Of course, nothing we do will ever pay the price He paid for us, but we can still serve Him, give Him all glory and honor, and praise His name to all people!  He loves us so much; let us love Himin return!

But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places with Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come He might shew the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast."  -Ephesians 2:4-9