A New Year - Goals and Challenges

As we go into 2014 most of us set goals for the new year; hoping to make this year even better than the last. As my husband and I discussed our own ideas on what the new year will bring, we realized we were not only making plans for a successful year ahead but were also planning for the challenges we already know we will face.

Before starting the adoption process, I researched and read a lot about the challenges we would encounter; the unending paperwork, the waiting, the delays, etc. In fact my husband and I have discussed (and thanks to my patient husband continue to discuss almost daily) these challenges in great depth. I hoped the more we discussed these challenges, the more prepared we would be and the easier they would be to handle. But now that we have officially started the paperwork phase...and by paperwork I mean mounds and mounds of "organized" chaos in the form of paper...I find myself struggling with "if this is God's plan for us then why isn't this journey easy." I mean seriously, how many times can two people sign their names; and we are nowhere near done.

I like to think that we are pretty decent people and we strive to live by His example. Don't get me wrong, I am a sinner just like everyone else and some days are better than others. However, I am reminded that many "good" people in the bible struggled; in fact if I am honest those people sinned much less than I do. I think of Job, who suffered even though he felt he had done nothing to deserve it. And Abraham and Sarah, who waited many years for God to fulfill his promise. If God let these people struggle, why do I think I am any different? The truth is, God never promised us an easy life. In fact, we are all guaranteed to encounter challenges along our journey.

Going into 2014, I've decided that one of my goals is to rely solely on God during all the challenges He has planned for me this year. SO in an effort to make this year even better than the last, I hope that you will remind me of this goal when I am struggling with the many challenges we will face this year in our adoption process. In return I will pray that you too know God's love whenever you face challenges in the upcoming year.

The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Psalm 18:2

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Philippians 4:6

For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
Isaiah 41:13

Remember we can all glorify God's kingdom in everything we encounter, especially the challenges!