2012. A brand new year. A new beginning. A fresh start. Although I may not have reached all of my goals for 2011, I’m encouraged by a line spoken by Miss Stacey from the movie, Anne of Green Gables, “Every day is fresh with no mistakes!” How true.

An unexpected snowfall while we were in Michigan left the landscape blanketed in unspotted white. A glorious reminder of the prophet Isaiah’s words, “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool,” (Isaiah 1:18).

As this new year unfolds, I’m thankful for a merciful God who is the God of the second chance. And the third. And the fourth. As a child of the King, I am a new creature, “…old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new,” (2 Corinthians 5:17b; KJV). How freeing to know that His forgiveness wipes my slate clean, keeping no record of past sins. Once again I am whiter than snow. Praise God for His grace!

How exciting to serve a God who renews my hope. “This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness,” (Lamentations 3:21-23).

As I contemplate goals for each area of my life, my heart’s desire is to live in the will of God. My prayer echoes that of the Apostle Paul, that the eyes of my understanding would be enlightened, and that I may know what is the hope of his calling (Ephesians 1:18). I know He has a plan for me, yet it remains His ‘hope’ that I’ll fulfill it. He won’t force me to fulfill the plan He has for me, I must diligently pursue it, one day at a time.

His word calls each one of us to, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths,” (Proverbs 3:5-6). May this new year be filled with His presence and His definition of success: “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success,” (Joshua 1:8).

What goals have you set this year? Don’t give in to defeat if you fall short. Remember that God is just waiting to help you up, dust you off, and set you back on His path. Seek God’s will in every area of your life for a truly prosperous and successful new year! God bless!