So this is it, the last day of 2014. Last year, I waited with great expectation and excitement of what was to come. My one word for 2014 was brave. And, wow, did I prove to need a lot of bravery.

My acronym for brave is:

Bold

Ready and

Available

Vying for

Everything God wants to do in my heart and through my life.

The word everything is tough to swallow. There are times we don’t want anything to do with His everything… 2014 was one of the hardest years I’ve ever experienced. It changed me. Hebrews 11:1 swirls around my soul like a hurricane.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

-Hebrews 11:1

I’m holding tightly to hope.

I have to be honest, sometimes, I don’t want to write. Many days, I don’t want to teach Bible study or even encourage anyone else. And then I remember the beauty there is in being clay inside the Potter’s hand. Molding usually hurts, but the art turns out to be so unbelievably amazing.

Dear Jesus, Please make my life into art. Even if it’s messy and over-the-top crazy, let it sing love so loud that no one can deny it came from You.

It takes faith to wait for the Master to create His masterpiece. (Tweet that)

I’m in the midst of being molded. Something is very different about me. I’ve retreated from myself in many ways. It’s been essential to take a step back and reevaluate everything. Well, everything except Jesus. He’s still the same – yesterday, today, and forever.

I’ve lifted my hands in surrender and asked Him a million times over if I’m doing what I’m supposed to do. Recently, after one of those moments with God, my phone rang. It was a television producer wanting to schedule me for my first TV interview regarding my book, Nothing to Hold but Hope. right now, I’m thinking that was God’s way of saying, “Keep on keeping on.” And so I will.

I’ve been pondering a lot about this coming year. What will 2015 look like? I have no idea. I don’t know if I will have one word to stand on (like last year) or if I will find a scripture that will create a theme for the year. I’m working on another book, but I don’t know if I will finish it or do something different. What’s so incredibly unusual for me is that I have absolutely no idea what I’m aiming for in 2015. No big goals. No big dreams. And that is completely opposite of my task oriented, purpose driven attitude.

The only thing I can say right now is that I want more of Jesus. I want to be refreshed and renewed with more of His Spirit. I want to know Him better. And I believe, somewhere along the way, that as I seek Him new dreams and goals will be birthed.

On this last day of 2014, I’ll be supporting a friend as she says goodbye to her sweet mama. Life is hard. And tonight, We are choosing to celebrate with hope. Hope of better things to come, and faith for a better year. I’ll be listening for the quiet sound of angels rejoicing as we choose to march on with Jesus in the face of trials. I’ll be envisioning the joy of those gone before as they celebrate in eternity. I will be memorizing the smiles on my dearest friends faces as we ring in 2015 together. In all this, I know I’m blessed.

And I pray the sweetest blessings over you, friend. May your New Year be filled with hope, faith, peace, and love. May you see Jesus in everything.

Happy New Year!

Love,

Jennifer