Another Year Dawning...

As we are once again, in a new location (albeit one much closer to family & friends and somewhere we have lived before), we have been visiting churches and looking for a church home.  The Sunday after Christmas we visited a church we were members of 20 years ago.  I am not sure that will end up being our church home again but the sermon resonated with me as the New Year dawned.  The Pastor spoke about how sometimes things have to be shaken up and how sometimes we need a new perspective…a God view. That really caught my attention because I know that sometimes I get so locked into my perspective I can’t even imagine there is another…much less a God one.  The last few months my perspective has been shaken up and for a time I was so blinded by my pain and MY perspective I couldn’t even begin to see God…but then one day I felt a faint sense of peace.  You know the kind, a “…peace of God, which surpasses all understanding…"(Philippians 4:7)  It was the gentle hand of a loving God awakening my hearts cry for Him.  It was the comforting arm of a God that will be there to love me through the pain.  It was the awakening of a hunger that only He can satisfy. 

Another Year Dawning

Another Year is dawning, dear Father, let it be

In working or in waiting, another year with Thee.

Another year of progress, another year of praise,

Another year of proving Your presence all the days.

Another year of mercies, of faithfulness and grace,

Another year of gladness in the shining of Your face;

Another year of leaning upon Your faithfulness;

Another year of trusting, of quiet, happy rest.

Another year of service, of witness for Thy love,

Another year of training for holier work above.

Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be

On earth, or else in Heaven, another  year for Thee.

~Francis Havergal