The Average Jane Journal
December 29, 2008 (27)
Wow, can you believe another year is ending? Does it make you look back? Does it make you look forward? When I think about a new year, I can’t help but think of how lots of people make new year resolutions. But I wanted to do more than just make meaningless resolutions, I keep thinking of all the things I would like to see in 2009. Then that made me think of a verse that I have come to love.
“Delight yourself in the LORD
and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4
You have to be careful with that verse though, it’s not a magic wish list; it does not mean that God is going to give us everything we want. I encourage you to read the whole chapter to get the entire context. Think of what it means to “delight yourself in the Lord”; to be in God’s will and have a desire to glorify God with your life.
Have you ever written God a letter, expressing your desires to Him? Sure, He knows your desires already-but He still loves having that personal communication from you. So I would like to encourage you to write God a letter, expressing your desires. I have decided to be a bit vulnerable here and include part of my letter. Maybe it can help you get started on your own.
I hope you all have a great 2009, and my prayer would be for you(no matter what stage you are in spiritually) to dedicate just a bit more of yourself this year to God. If you are not already doing so, I suggest reading the Bible everyday. This is my second year to read the entire Bible. Sure, I don’t always understand what I read, and yes I admit there are days where I have to make myself do it. But I believe God blesses me for my dedication, and my desire to want to know His Word. If you feel like God is leading you to start a daily Bible reading plan, please try www.deliberatepeople.com for a schedule. You can purchase a journal or just print the plan out from your computer; look under resources. Enjoy writing those letters to our God, our Lord, our Rock, lover of our souls, the great I AM!!!
Dear Lord, I know you know my heart and know that this letter is not meant as a wish list or a magic wand. I’m prayerfully and respectfully writing you this letter just to share with you my heart’s desires; which I know you already know and have given me desires to match Your will. I have realized how much my desires have changed since I have tried to live a life dedicated to You. I only want Your will in my life, so I pray Your will in all these desires. Thank you for loving someone like me.
**I desire to have a fearless faith, to remember that You are faithful to me and have more power than anyone. I want to follow through fearlessly on whatever I feel like You have led me to do.
**I desire physical and spiritual rest for my husband. I am thankful for the strength You have given him during this season of our lives where he has had to work two jobs. But I desire for him to get back into church soon, not having to work on Sundays, and to find Your purpose for him within our church. To start relationships there and feel at home there like I do. I would love to see him maybe start a hiking small group someday. What do you desire for him to do?
**I desire to see my son take more steps on his journey to finding You and starting a real relationship with You. I desire for him to be a great man for You someday. What great plans do You have for him? Thank you that he is going to church and youth group; I know we are where You want us to be.
**I desire a job that I will love and that fulfills me.
**I desire that the rest of my parents’ lives be the happiest they have ever had-in their personal lives, their spiritual lives, and their ministry work. I desire for them to be loved, cherished and respected; and to see fruit in their work for You. Thank You for always providing for them.
**I desire to win a few battles every once in awhile in the war against those sins that have a hold of me.
**I desire for my life to bring You glory.
**I desire to be a better steward with all blessings you have given me. I don’t want to hold any possession more important in my life than You. I want to become better with the mind set that everything belongs to You, and if You want it-then take it.
**I desire to be a Godly counsel-not only have the knowledge to do so but take away fear and unworthy feelings that I could ever help someone.
**I desire to be closer to my brother and his wife. I desire for them to see You in great ways in their lives together. Thank you for their happiness and protection; and for giving me a brother 28 years ago.
**I desire to see great things in this country-a healing, a revival, people desiring righteousness, people coming back to love this country for what it stood for so many years ago. I desire protection for Your people in a country where so many are against us.
**I desire the continued growth of my church, to see great things this next year that can only be explained as being Your hand. I desire to find Your purpose for me there, and to do it fearlessly and with excitement.
**I desire for my son to start looking toward his future a little bit; start exploring what he likes and making goals for college, etc.
**I desire to be a better wife and mom.
**I desire to keep writing.
**I desire a Godly woman for my son, the perfect woman to match God's plan for my son.
