2009

What a year this has been. So many new experiences. Lessons learned. Memories made. Plain words seem like the best way to convey what the past twelve months have been. Laughter. Tears. Joy. Frustration. Glee. Surprise. Confusion. Enlightenment. Hurt. Bliss. Persistence. Elation. Determination. Happiness. Jubilation. Peace. Excitement. Comfort. Delight. Euphoria. Grace. Forgiveness. Understanding. Compassion. Overwhelming Love. In varying degrees I have experienced each of these things and each has left an etching on my heart. Life doesn't pass by without leaving a mark, either good or bad. It's what we do with those experiences that matters most. My desire is to seek God in all things, to ask Him to teach me though the tough times, keep me faithful in the good times, and in all things praise His holy name and give Him the place in my life that He deserves. Life gets hard sometimes and circumstances can start changing who we are, how we deal with things, what our highest priorities are. But God is greater than anything we can possibly experience in this life and He continues to mold this clay, for I am just a simple substance in the Potter's hand. In turn, the good times can make us complacent in our Walk and perhaps take for granted the amazing grace God bestows on our lives each day. I want to live each day completely overwhelmed by the fact that I have been claimed as a child of the Most High God, the King of Kings. Overwhelmed by the knowledge that He loves me more than is possible to conceive with the human mind. I don't want to take for granted the fact that He chose me to be His own and that He extends a moment-by-moment grace to this sinful soul that is beyond my comprehension. I pray that I live with a hunger to know my Savior better each day and draw ever closer to Him. Happy 2009.

Hungering for Him, Anne

For your nearness Lord I hunger For your nearness Lord I wait Hold me ever closer Father Such a love I can’t escape For your nearness I am hoping For your nearness Lord I long Have no need of any other I have found where I belong Yes, I have found where I belong So draw me nearer Lord Never let me go Closer to your heart Draw me nearer Lord Draw me nearer Lord