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Monday, January 9, 2012

A New Beginning


A new year and a new start. Nothing better than a clean slate where we can begin again!!!! So sorry I’ve been missing in action for a while. I wasn’t feeling that well, and with all the doctor visits, tests, etc., I felt I lost my momentum with writing, thinking, commenting, etc. I’ve missed being here and visiting my favorite
Bloggy places. I’ll be catching up just as soon as I can.

The few places I have been have intrigued me with goals, resolutions, thoughts, and even chosen words for the coming year. It made me stop and think --- to think back over the past year and where it brought me from, and to think of where the road in front of me is heading. My first thought on New Year’s Day was a line in a song I love so much --- “Whatever my lot, it is well with my soul!” I’m a whiner at times. A complainer. A worrier. All of these seem to be strikes against what I call a strong faith and confidence in a God that I say I trust with my life and soul. Can I HONESTLY say in the darkest of times that “it is well with my soul?” I want to make that my goal for this coming year -- to grow into that kind of steadfast faith!

Which brings me to the thing about a “word” for this year. I’m so intrigued by that! I’m so wordy, and to boil something down into one word is almost impossible for me. But the word “STEADFAST” has been slamming me up against the wall for a while now. I don’t think I waver much in my faith, but I DO waver in my walk. Even as I typed that, I thought, if my walk isn’t right, isn’t that the evidence of my faith?????
I want to follow God’s words to Jeremiah : Thus says the LORD, "Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, Where the good way is, and walk in it; And you will find rest for your souls. (Jer. 6:16)

The word, “steadfast” appears numerous times in Scripture, and has its roots in Greek where the roads were made of clay. As the chariots would go up and down these roads, ruts were formed, similar to the ruts of old country roads and driveways. The smoothest and safest way to travel these roads was to keep the wheels in the ruts. To remain steadfast would mean for us to stay in the ruts that have been formed by those who have gone before us, the good way, the ancient paths.

Years ago, I lived in the farm country of Virginia. The house sat on a hill, a ways off the main road. It was an old 1800’s home, and the driveway leading to this house was as old as the old farmhouse. The ruts had been dug out over the decades to where the fencing now stood higher than the roof of the car. And we all knew that the safest way to ride that driveway was to stay in the ruts!

I want to be known as a “steadfast” person --- someone who doesn’t quit, swerve, back up, or try new and questionable ways. And if I only move one step forward this whole year, I will have considered it a profitable and successful year.

24 comments:

Andrea Dawn said...

Welcome back, Cora . . . I've been watching for you often. Steadfast is a great word for the year.

Anonymous said...

It is well with my soul, that is a priority. It is well with my family. It is well with my friends. It is well with my church. It is not well where I used to work, but of all places I could choose in my life not to be well, that would be the one most easily gone. For my soul to stay well, I must play the work thing well. I pray for wisdom in that.

This is the Year of Grace for me.. I got God's riches at Christ's expense, I did not earn them. I could not earn them. He graced me to grace others. What exactly does that look like? I pray I will come to know.

I'm so glad you're back steadfast Cora.

Dawn

nancy huggins said...

Glad to see you back Cora..I have missed reading your blog and also any new news about my Buddy (((BUSTER))) Do you believe that in 3 months Maggie and Calli will be 3 years old..I can hardly believe I made it and they haven't got run over yet when they take off. I am in the process of the second edition now of my cook book and will be a lot more work than I thought with fixing the ones that I started with first edition that never got finished. I know I can do it and once again try to save up to go back where I should have stayed 3 years ago...Yes Cora..I think 2012 will be a better year. Miss you in the groups..Please come back :)

KathyB. said...

One of my favorite hymns, and goals. Oh, I know it is well with my soul, but as you have written,being steadfast and unwavering , well, often I feel as though I the opposite, and a failure. God is so merciful to me, yet I know He can also help me be steadfast in spite of myself.No swerving or backing up, onward and upward, but only through Him & with Him. Thoughtful post Cora, thank-you.

Anonymous said...

Cora, I, too, am glad to see you back. Your post is very thought-provoking. I don't have a blog, but that doesn't mean I can't have a 'word'. I agree with what you say about one's walk and one's faith being inseparable, actually. That is something I will be chewing on today. It hit home.

A.

Nancy said...

I was wondering where you've been! Welcome back. I struggled with that hymn for a long time. Often I felt as though I was merely mouthing words when I wasn't convinced all was well with my soul. A friend reminded me that, in Christ, all is well with my soul even if my feelings tell me otherwise.

Blessings to you in the new year, Cora.

Farmhouse Blessings said...

Your posts always leave me thoughtful and renewed. Thinking of you with love and care today, Cora.

Lea

Patty Sumner said...

I have missed you Cora!!!!
I love your word for the year...."steadfast". I am in agreement with you that if you can just remain steadfast and make that one good step forward (no going backwards) this year will be a success. Blessings and welcome back!

Unknown said...

So happy to see you back in the saddle!!

thefisherlady said...

I was thrilled to see a post from you Cora, and blessed with what you shared. I will continue to pray for you in your year of steadfastness, a goodly pursuit indeed. I loved your verse: "Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, Where the good way is, and walk in it; And you will find rest for your souls. (Jer. 6:16)
may we all find this wonderful rest for our souls this 2012
Blessings and grace dear friend.

Leaon Mary said...

Happy to see you back my friend!
I'm closing my eyes and imagining that road before us... those ruts. --The good way.
I love your word.
and LOVE your heart.
Humming it is well with my soul with you...
Happy New Year,
and New Joys!
Lea

Debra said...

Dearest Friend~
One of my joys today was to find your comment, and then a new post on your blog!
So funny you should write about ruts in roads. That was part of my reading this morning in one of John Maxwell's books. From "The Winning Attitude," he writes,'In the Canadian northlands there are just two seasons, winter and July. When the back roads begin to thaw, they become muddy. Vehicles going into the backwood country leave deep ruts that become frozen when cold weather returns. For those entering this primitive area during the winter months, there is a sign that reads,"Driver, please choose carefully which rut you drive in, because you'll be in it for the next twenty miles." '

He goes on to say that choosing a right attitude now will benefit you for a long way into the future.

It is so good to note that we all want to move forward, and that we can encourage each other on the journey...
Love, Debra

Denise said...

There you are.. Happy feet here in Oklahoma.. I have been worried.... I love love love reading your blog.. You make my mind spin.. you make my spirit rejoice and you challenge me to understand the grace that we walk in..

Girl friend, HE was stedfast and walked perfect because HE knew that we could not....my my ... just the fact that you want to walk stedfast..... causes HIM to dance.....

Love that you are back......

Nacole said...

it is well with my soul...one of my favorite songs...love the truth in it.

enjoyed reading this post...steadfast. i need that in my life. i pray God is taking me there and i feel His hand moving in me this way.

blessings and love,

Nacole

Carrie said...

It's wonderful to meet you! I'm so glad that you stopped by my site via Craig's! I adore his site and feel such connection there. I like your word for the year, 'steadfast'. Strong, unwavering. I'm still searching for mine, but the word 'acceptance' keeps lingering. We'll see. I look forward to spending a bit more time here and reading your posts!

Vicky said...

Its so good to hear from you Cora! I worried so over your absence and said prayers that you were okay. I love your word and that you were able to hear it repeatedly knowing it was picking you. I hope your spirits are good and that your health has improved. I'm so glad you came back to us- you leave a Cora sized hole when you are gone and that can't filled by anyone but YOU!

Joyful Noise for a Joyful Life said...

i love that to strive to be at peace and feel Christ's peace. I too want to truly say it is well with my soul. Thanks and welcome back! I will pray for your physical healing.

Kristin Bridgman said...

I'm so excited and happy to see you back! You've been in my prayers.

I love your word, much more than mine...(discipline) What was I thinking!? ;)

Many blessings to you this new year and looking forward to more of your writings!

Janet Beckwith Macy said...

I checked out your site and the song "It is well with my soul" immediately started playing - and I was blessed. It was so comforting.

I see you haven't been on here much lately.

I've taken a blogging vacation without telling anyone. An unexpected happened in my life that has me too tired for words.

Bless you.

Craig said...

Hey YOU!!!! how are you? How about that woman that you e-mailed me about – I still owe you answers on one – how is she doing spiritually – how are you holding up in church – how's your health – how's your heart?

I'd like answers to those questions – maybe an e-mail – you're important Cora.

Hope your year of steadfast is less challenging than my year of see - by the way – that's what my name means – steadfast.

And one last thing – have I been here all this time and missed your tribute to Sara - I needed that today – thank you my friend. God bless you!

Debra said...

Miss you. You're on my heart, and in my prayers.
I love you.

Yesteryear Embroideries said...

2-23-12
Hello, it's been awhile since I have been able to stop by to say hello. Hope this finds all is well with you!

Judy's Vintage Collections said...

Hi Cora,
Thinking about you! Knowing you are looking forward to Spring! But in FL it about springtime all the time there! I do love the Winter months because I do not have to mow mow mow my yard! I try not to complain it's just that I have to keep it grass short because I want to see the ground where I walk. Gotta watch for snakes :( ! I'm sure you are as busy as a bee keeping your Ebay shop loaded up with all those Lovely Angels! Hugs from my heart in the heart of TEXAS! :)Judy

Debra said...

Hi Cora-
I am always so happy to find your comments on my blog.
You know-my brother and his wife have a second home in Florida-some day I hope to knock on your door. Do you still have vultures? Not that they would stop me- (!hehee!) but I couldn't help picturing me walking up your path and looking around for them to dive on my head!!!!
love, Debra