Today's Fun Challenge for Bloggers

Here’s a challenge for all bloggers: Look through your first blog post.
After you finish giggling and rolling your eyes, think about what you just read. Think about the person who wrote it. Think about how life has changed since then. now, congratulate yourself for sticking with it!
For complete transparency, I’ve included my first post from December 2010, and this is what I found:

• I am still trying to publish a book—a different one this time, but a book, nonetheless.
• While my speaking ministry has progressed, there are times I still question my ability to tell others of God’s great mercy and grace for us.
• I still realize I am nothing without Christ. My comfort has nothing to do with how good God is in my life. And the scripture still rings true. His plans are still etched in stone.

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As 2010 comes to a close, I’ve noticed lots of Top Ten lists to commemorate 2010: Top Ten Words, Top Ten Phrases, Top Ten Most Important People … the list goes on.
But where is your focus for 2010? Are you concerned with the dark places that showed up? I’ve had dark places in my life over the past year, but I choose to dwell on what’s been good.  Let me list some of the good experiences I choose to think about:

• A book I’ve spent over five years writing has been turned down repeatedly for publication more in 2010 than ever
• I’ve questioned my ability to be in the ministry Christ has led me in
• I’ve dealt with family crises regarding my children
• There have been situations with extended family members
• I’ve experienced health issues that have changed how I participate in life
• Finances, at times, seemed in short supply

You may think I gave you the wrong list, but be assured I did not.  Because of each one of the above-mentioned situations, I realized I was nothing without Christ. I realized my life during 2010 was not about my comfort … it was about obedience to my Heavenly Father.  During each disappointment and heartache, I learned to trust the plans Christ has for me, not what my plans were for Christ.
Was it easy? No, but it wasn’t as difficult as you might think.  Once I got beyond my initial disappointment of not meeting my agenda, I knew I would find solace and peace with God:
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Are you feeling frustrated because life’s situations are not meeting your expectations? Has the year 2010 been a disappointment to you? Remember that Life happens:
…He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Matthew 5:45
Are you disappointed in where your life is? Take those honest feelings to your Heavenly Father. He loves you more than you will ever know this side of Glory.  Think about how 2010 has given you so many opportunities to praise God. Give it a try.
That’s what I choose to do.