"That was soooo yesterday."

Toward the end of last year it seemed like almost everybody I know was having some difficulty or another.

For some it was:

• Sick kids or bed rest.
• Moving blues or work day blahs.
• Overworked or underpaid.
• Painful contractions or surgery complications.
• Unexpected car repairs or other unplanned expenses.
• Spiritual complacency or the like...

Whatever the ailment or situation,
I have heard the stories of a few but I know that God has heard them all.

In times of newness, such as the New Year, it is worth saying that there is a hope that precludes any remaining despair from moments endured the previous year.

Yes, there is the resetting of the deductible that annoys, but there is something that is a more sure bet than your insurance rates rising and that truth will remain a constant in the world that will ever change.

Lamentations 3:25-26 (The Message)
"God proves to be good to the man who passionately waits, to the woman who diligently seeks. It's a good thing to quietly hope, quietly hope for help from God."

Those first 5 words are a promise. "God proves to be good."
And those 5 words are a cornerstone that we can stand on each day of 2008.
I, for one, would prefer to cling to Him in times of hardship - but not only during those times.

I want to be diligent in my search for Him during the times when all is coming up daisies, so that when the lights go out, and all around me becomes darkened by the trial, I'll know where to find Him.
I'll reach out to Him, knowing that only moments ago we were strolling along in that field of daisies - hand in hand.
Keeping my heart closely knit with His will pervade the darkness of the trial.
In that closeness I will trust. I can rest assured knowing -
There's a light at the end of this tunnel. And though the darkness may last for longer than I would will it...

"God proves to be good."

Glory be to the One Who, at once, hung the stars and called me by name.
Praise be to Him Who knit me together and rolled out the clouds.
In a word, the galaxies, in all their vast complexity, were spoken into being.
From within the power of that same word is the strength to calm a broken spirit and to allay the most terrible fears.
In the words that bring life, I will choose to dwell.
In the palm of His mighty hand, I will choose to reside.

2008 will be a good year because...
Time and time again, God proves to be good.

Lamentations 3:21-33
I'll never forget the trouble, the utter lostness, the taste of ashes, the poison I've swallowed.
I remember it all—oh, how well I remember— the feeling of hitting the bottom.
But there's one other thing I remember, and remembering, I keep a grip on hope:
God's loyal love couldn't have run out, his merciful love couldn't have dried up.
They're created new every morning. How great your faithfulness!
I'm sticking with God (I say it over and over). He's all I've got left.
God proves to be good to the man who passionately waits, to the woman who diligently seeks. It's a good thing to quietly hope, quietly hope for help from God. It's a good thing when you're young to stick it out through the hard times.
When life is heavy and hard to take, go off by yourself. Enter the silence. Bow in prayer. Don't ask questions: Wait for hope to appear. Don't run from trouble. Take it
full-face. The "worst" is never the worst.
Why? Because the Master won't ever walk out and fail to return.