The new year is a good time to stop and reflect. As I begin my second year of widowhood, I think of 2021 and stand in awe of how the Lord’s presence has been there, sustaining and guiding me. The Lord’s presence was so very real to me; I was not overwhelmed with sadness and grief.  My husband both left a huge legacy and I rejoice that he is free of his suffering.

There have been health challenges and adjustments to living alone. How thankful I am for His presence through the beginning of this new phase of my life. How he moves through the support of my family and friends is something I cherish. Now as I begin my second year alone, I anticipate and look forward to the new challenges ahead. New opportunities to serve the Lord.  I don’t know what the future holds, but knowing who holds the future gives me peace and joy.

Learning to be independent again has had its challenges. From learning to cook for one, to maintaining the car, each aspect is a new beginning in my life now. Living in a senior's complex has been a huge help, though.

The Lord has given me a family that depends on me to pray for them. I pray and find opportunities to visit and connect. The Lord gives many blessings. Now that many of my grandchildren are adults, it’s been a blessing to begin a new relationship with them and bless them as they choose their life’s vocation.

As I begin this new year, I know there will be challenges, but I hold onto the promises of God in Ephesians 3:20, “Now unto Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all I can ask or imagine.”   God is good and so I praise Him for who he is and am thankful for what He has ahead for me.

This new beginning brings more time to be quiet and be more sensitive to the still small voice of the Holy Spirit.  As I begin this new year, I want to grow in this relationship and be able to communicate it better to others.

The most important part of any ministry is the Holy Spirit. He is the one who guides and empowers us when we serve the Lord. The work of the church is truly the work of the Holy Spirit. When Jesus left this earth, he gave his disciples instructions to wait until they would receive power. When the Holy Spirit came, the disciples were empowered and hundreds came to the Lord. Numerous times it says that the Holy Spirit filled them and empowered them to be powerful witnesses even in the face of death. The Book of Acts could rightly be titled the Acts of the Holy Spirit.

Over the years of serving the Lord, I have found that when I thought I was prepared, like teaching a Sunday School class, things didn’t go well because I was going in my own strength. But when I spent more time in prayer looking to the Lord, the Holy Spirit was in control and the class went well. I learned, again and again, to be in tune with the Holy Spirit and let Him work through me.

In my readings, the thought has been related that today we are too self-sufficient in our churches.  We can have all the programs we like and plan everything to a tee, but if the Holy Spirit isn’t the one leading and working through them, they are useless. The prayer that needs to go into preparation is hard work. Are we willing to put in the time so we can see the Holy Spirit at work?

I want this year to be one where I can grow in depth and allow the Holy Spirit to be the one leading and working through me and everyone here at our church.