More...Renewal...Blessings!!

I found this on the internet (via Facebook), and so I posted it on my Facebook page and nearly every one of my friends has said they would love to do the same in 2018.  So I thought it would be a good idea to share it here as well, so all my Blogger friends can join in the "party".  Doesn't this sound like a great way to enjoy the new year?  I can't think of any of these that I would delete...

So who wants to come along with me on this great journey through the year?

Now I wonder how I can link these ideas to my "One Word" for 2018: Renew.  Seems pretty simple to me...all of the above ideas and actions will ultimately lead to a renewal of joy, health, and peace of mind.  Most of all, I want MORE of Jesus in my life...and I believe He will be a welcome and willing partner in all of the above adventures...even tea time!  Jesus and Tea do go together...as that is my time to sit and rest and reflect on all the blessings He has bestowed upon me.  That's what I'm doing right now...sitting here with a cup of tea and praising the Lord for His goodness and looking forward to all He has in store for me in the New Year.

Oh, and that book..."Renewal On The Run" by Jill Briscoe...Well, when God led me to choose "Renew" (or Renewal) as my One Word for 2018, the title of this book kept running through my brain. I knew I had read it at some point in my life, but I couldn't remember when or if I had the book still. Lo! And Behold! I looked on my dusty bookshelf and discovered this book sitting there...and then I remembered.  The subtitle on this book is "Encouragement for wives who are partners in ministry"...and that explained why I had it in my library...way back then when we were in active ministry and I was a pastor's wife who needed a LOT of encouragement and renewal...this little book was actually a gift to me from a dear sister and mentor in Christ who was also our "District Superintendent's Wife".  When I pulled the book from the shelf, an envelope fell out, with a note enclosed from that dear friend:

(That is not the complete note above...more is written on the backside)

As I re-read this precious little note, I was overwhelmed with gratitude for the gift of this godly older woman who had such a profound influence on my life at a time when I was in great need of such mentoring.  

One quote she included in her note was: 

"Whom God royally elects

He ruthlessly perfects."**

Then she went on to say, "When I've been going through the refinery I've felt that I was exposed to all to see the dross!...I just want you to know I see God's grace and delight in you. Thank you."

At that particular time in my life we were going through some difficult trials...and for this precious woman of God to take the time to share these words with me...well, I can't tell you how much that meant and still means to me today.  As a matter of fact, it touched my heart so much yesterday when I discovered this that I wanted to pick up the phone and call her...but we've been out of touch for many years. I had tried to contact her through her son a couple of years ago, but for some reason we just never connected. However, her son is a Facebook friend, so I sent him a private message yesterday asking again if there was a way I could contact her, and he sadly informed me that she had passed away recently.  My heart just sank. I really wanted to thank her for blessing my life then and now...but now it is too late.  So I prayed that God would somehow let her know that she was such a blessing to me...and to give her my deepest thanks for her faithful witness and service.

This is all a part of "renewal".  Being renewed by Christ comes through many forms...words of encouragement from someone highly respected and admired, times spent alone with the Lord in prayer, reading and meditation, practicing daily worship and praise and thanksgiving...having godly friends and mentors who help us focus on the Lord and His love and care for us...

Yes, in 2018 I want MORE of all of the above...won't you come along with me?  Maybe we need a "Renewal Retreat" of some kind...sounds good to me...

Thank you for being a part of my life here and beyond. I don't want the opportunity to slip away again to thank those who have meant so much. You, dear friends, are that to me. Thank you.

**From the poem: 

When God Wants To Drill A Man

When God wants to drill a man,
And thrill a man,
And skill a man
When God wants to mold a man
To play the noblest part;

When He yearns with all His heart
To create so great and bold a man
That all the world shall be amazed,
Watch His methods, watch His ways!

How He ruthlessly perfects
Whom He royally elects!
How He hammers him and hurts him,
And with mighty blows converts him

Into trial shapes of clay which
Only God understands;
While his tortured heart is crying
And he lifts beseeching hands!

How He bends but never breaks
When his good He undertakes;
How He uses whom He chooses,
And which every purpose fuses him;
By every act induces him
To try His splendor out-
God knows what He’s about.

– Anonymous