As you face this new year, what are your thoughts? Excitement, hope, expectations, maybe some doubt or cynicism... Whatever they may be (and I'm still figuring this one out myself in my own mind), I think gratefulness should be one of those thoughts. God has lead us all through another year, praise him!
My family has always made goal-setting a big part of the new year, so here goes! Some of my goals are:
(1) Practice my violin every single day!
(2) Save up lots of mula in my savings (rather than spending it); my goal is to have like $5,500 by next year
(3) [tentative!] become a realtor. Still seeking God's wisdom on that one...
(4) Curb my propensity to say what's on my mind to whoever is nearby *gulp* It's not always encouraging....
Well, that's some of them! I don't have many as I don't want to make too many promises to myself! That only makes me frustrated when I can't fulfill them...
As I open up this 2009, this song has been on my mind. I hope it speaks to you. Note the youtube link to see the music video and hear the song sung by this relatively new band, Tenth Avenue North. I just bought their CD and every song on it is either us talking directly to God, or God talking to us (in the case of this song). Rare...
"Why are you striving these days?
Why are you trying to earn grace?
Why are you crying?
Let me lift up your face
Just don't turn away
Why are you looking for love?
Why are you still searching?
As if I'm not enough?
To where will you go child
Tell where will you run?
To where will you run?
(chorus)
I'll be by your side wherever you fall
In the dead of night whenever you fall
Please don't fight these hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you
Look at these hands and my side
They swallowed the grave on that night
When I drank the world's sin
So I could carry you in
And give you life
(chorus)
Here are my side wherever I fall
In the dead of night whenever you call
Please don't fight these hands that are holding you
(bridge)
And I, I love you
And I want you to know
That I, I love you
I'll never let you go
By your side wherever you fall
In the dead of night whenever you call
Please don't fight these hands that are holding you
By my side, my hands are holding you
In the Dead of night, my hands are holding you..."
-By My Side by Tenth Avenue North (from their CD Over and Underneath)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J95rAr0gOFU
Wherever or whatever I go or do in this new year, He'll be by my side and that is so encouraging...
