Do you ever forget the characteristics of the God who created you? I do. I find myself often needing to be reminded of how faithful He is so that I may trust Him. Or needing to be reminded of how He is a man of His word so it is without a doubt that His words will come to pass. My mind is so feeble. So forgetful. Emotions come in and rise up these irrational thoughts, and if I am not careful, result in foolish actions. However, because our God is so loving and knowing He is not taken by surprise by how His creation acts. In fact, He decided to build in constant reminders to all His creation how much He thinks about them and is working on their behalf. 

When you are first confronted with a problem where do you go for resolution? If we are honest we would probably have different sources for resolution based on how big of a problem we have analyzed it to be. If it is a minor problem we may rely on ourselves and our own resources to come to a quick resolution. If beyond our immediate resources we may call on a friend and our network. If enormous we may call on the professionals in the field. If really desperate we may pause long enough to pray. We all would like to answer this question as my Sunday school children do when posed with any question, "Jesus!" We know the Christian right answer. But let us be honest... where do we go immediately when we need a resolution? Acknowledging where we are and where would like to be will help us to actually change, if needed. Jesus knows where we are at and He is willing to help us regardless of where we are, if we believe. 

When air pods (wireless headphones) came about I remember thinking, "what is all the craze?" I will admit I am a slow adopter to new things I find frivolous. However, recently my husband bought a pair and there is one feature about them I was completely oblivious too. Noise cancelation! When you place these air pods in your ears, if set to noise cancelation, all the noise is blocked. Small noises like your heating system and loud noises like the people who live with you. What I think stood out to me most is how my physical body responded to it. All of a sudden with all those noises silenced, in a way, my shoulders became less tense, and my mind was able to hold on to a clear thought for longer. My physical body whether I was conscious of it or not was carrying so much weight from this sound, that when blocked all of a sudden my body felt like a weight had been lifted off of it. There is power in sound. 

As we kick-off this new year together I wanted to share an intention with you all. People often spend time reflecting on the year close and all the possibilities of the new year. Some see opportunity to change or improve, others will keep things just the same, while yet others will challenge themselves to be and do things they never deemed possible. Well regardless of where you see yourself I pray this prayer of intention over all of us. 

"For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, for by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross." (Colossians 1:19-20)