The Dawn of my 33rd Year

Wowzers! Today I mark the beginning of another year in this journey of life. I love birthdays. It is such a beautiful opportunity to take a deep breath and recognize those things that I often miss in the day to day of my life.
Today as I enter into this new year, I find myself so deeply thankful for those that God has intertwined into my life. I was reminded of the classic story, Pilgrim's Progress, this morning. My journey much like Christian's has been full of unexpected challenges and joys. Like Christian, I have found myself struggling to carry burdens that are not mine to carry. I have at times wandered off of the path only to find myself caught in the bog of despair. I have climbed tall mountains (whoa baby!) and have been amazed that my feet keep taking the journey one small step at a time.
But today, I am most amazed by the people that God chooses to put in my path. Perhaps the most amazing being my daughter! I have witnessed God at work in a deeply powerful way as I look at Paige's life. Even in those moments when I find myself helpless to hold her in her hurt, I know that He is at work healing in ways that I cannot even imagine. Likewise, through the joy of parenting her I too have had the powerful privilege of experiencing my own healing. In addition to Paige, I am constantly amazed by the people who our Father has brought into our lives. Whether it be my dear friend Misty who gave me the gift of a beautiful party Sunday night, my friend Melissa who welcomed me into her home on Saturday and allowed me to share the burdens of my heart, or my friend Deb who blessed me with a time of prayer by the fireside last night. It seems like I am daily blessed by the tapestry of friends and sometimes strangers who press into my life.
I find myself wondering today who I will meet in this upcoming year. Who will remind me of Christ's love for the "least of these". Who will point me to the lover of my soul? Of course I can only see that which is right in front of me, I have no ability to tell the future, but as I look at the past I KNOW that He will continue to gently guide.
Blessings to you!
Krys

Ephesians 3:18-20

My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you'll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.
God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.

Glory to God in the church!
Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus!
Glory down all the generations!
Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes!