“And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 14:14 ESV

It’s a new year. A time for reflecting, setting goals, and making resolutions.

Yuck.

I don’t know about you, but I’m not a person who does any of those things. It might be because I’m a teacher and a new calendar year means nothing to me, or perhaps because by the time January 1st arrives, I can’t remember what I did yesterday, let alone last year.

But I do like to take a moment and try to remember events from the past year, and usually going month-by-month helps me keep track. So here’s what I remember from this past year:

January: No clue, but probably hibernated

February: Nope, no memories here

March: Put my condo on the market

April: Packing, moving, packing, moving

May: Sold my condo, moved in with my parents (thanks again, guys!); Interviewed for a new job

June: Got a new job for the next school year

July: Ah, beach

August: Oh no, I’m starting a new job + I’m still living with my parents = panic

September: New job teaching middle school

October: Love the new job, but what have I done?

November: Still love the new job, but can’t keep my eyes open – what have I done?

December: Yay Christmas! Oh wait, let me overbook myself with merry-making. (But thankfully had a restful Dec. 25th and break from school!)

And now it’s January again, and it’s cold, and the afternoons are dark.

And I returned to work questioning what I was so sure of in the spring: new home and new job. So I remind myself that I didn’t doubt God in those decisions and I need to hold on.

Yuck again. . . because it’s hard!

Something Unexpected

One Friday morning I had a particularly difficult time rallying myself out the door as I let my head fill with doubts and fears. I listened to a podcast of Christian speakers, and they happened to be talking about God’s purpose for their lives and how sometimes we plant seeds without seeing results. When I entered my classroom, these post-its were on my desk:

How cool is this?!?! The person signed her name, but I have no idea who she is.

Yes, my first thoughts were questions as to why someone not only sat at my desk, but also went into my drawers to find post-its. I got over it, like being hit by a 2-by-4, because those scripture cards I keep on my desk were used in that place, at that time, to serve someone I don’t even know.

I often think of Esther 14:14, because God has uprooted me and placed me somewhere new, and I don’t know why. But I do know that I’ll keep-on keepin’ on. . . even if I’m sometimes trudging on. . . because He’s using me in ways I don’t even know.

So in this new year, no matter how you regard it, keep getting up, keep stepping forward (small steps are ok, too!), keep serving, keep worshipping, and keep being available for God to use you.

2024 here we come!

Why might God have you in your current situation?

“And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 14:14 ESV