Friday, January 01, 2010

friday five: a fresh start


At RevGals Sally writes: As I prepare this post I am aware that it will be posted on New Years Day. We stand at the beginning of 2010 looking not only at a New Year, but at a new decade full of promise and possibilities. For some of us this will be exciting, but others will approach it with trepidation and probably most of us stand on this threshold with a mix of emotions and reactions.It is at this time of year that many (British) Methodist Churches celebrate their Annual Covenant Service, a service that will include this prayer:

I am no longer my own but yours,
Put me to what you will,
rank me with whom you will;
put me to doing,
put me to suffering;
let me be employed for you,
or laid aside for you,
exalted for you,
or brought low for you;
let me be full,
let me be empty,
let me have all things,
let me have nothing:
I freely and wholeheartedly yield all things
to your pleasure and disposal.
And now glorious and blessed God,
Father , Son and Holy Spirit,
you are mine and I am yours.
May it be so forever.
Let this covenant now made on earth
be fulfilled in heaven. AMEN

This prayer is said every year, and offers every member an opportunity to renew their covenant with God. This is no soft or easy prayer, it states in the company of others our willingness to worship God come what may, not that we should become doormats, but that we place God above all else. ( And every year if we are honest we have to acknowledge that we fail).With this prayer in mind I bring you this Friday Five:

1. What will you gladly leave behind in 2009?
The consequences of my husband closing his business. Unnecessary hurt.

2. What is the biggest challenge of 2010 for you?
It looks like I'm going to be the only breadwinner for an indefinite time. My biggest challenge will be meeting that challenge.

3. Is there anything that you simply need to hand to God and say "all will be well, for you are with me"?
Funny, I basically prayed this last night when I went to bed. There are a host of demons in my husbands past that have caused him a lot of hurt. Not addressing those hurts in a healthy way is a catching up with him. I can be a companion and encourager to him in facing that vulnerability and dealing with it but I cannot do it for him. Leaving that to God is very necessary. But oh, I want to help.

4. If you could only achieve one thing in 2010 what would it be?
Reaching the end of the year in better shape than we are beginning it.

5. Post a picture, poem or song that sums up your prayer for the year ahead....
My favorite, favorite poem includes these opening verses:

I said to the Man who stood at the gate of the year,
"Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown."
And he replied, "Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God.
That shall be to you better than light, and safer than a known way."
Minnie Louise Haskins, made famous by George VI when recited during a Christmas broadcast in 1939
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12 comments:

Processing Counselor said...

Blessings in the coming year. I hope things turn out well!

revhipchick said...

thank you for posting those verses--they're wonderful!

peace be with you, blessings and happiness in 2010.

Elaine (aka...Purple) said...

Walking gracefully with your husband...priceless.

Blessings for all you.

Terri said...

I've walked that journey with my husband, and now he is walking it with me...it is a real grace to have that kind of love and companionship. Blessings for your year.

The Bug said...

Wonderful poem! I may have to check out the rest of it.

Here's to all of us walking that dark path - let's go forward without anxiety.

Dr. Laura Marie Grimes said...

Praying that 2010 will indeed be much easier and more blessed in every way....

Sally said...

Prayers for you for 2010. Hope that at least some of those hurts stay firmly in 2009.

Kimberly Mason said...

Beautifully said! I will have to steal that one...

Big hugs to you, my Friend, you are a Superior Walking Partner!

Jan said...

Beautiful verses. I hope you are sustained with courage and persistence in the year ahead. Your husband is blessed to have you.

Dorcas (aka SingingOwl) said...

What an honest post--touched my heart. I'm praying for you and your husband right this minute! And I loved the verses too. Blessings as you win the bread and bring home the bacon, strength, hope, courage--and may it all be right once again soon.

Jayne said...

Each year, we get a fresh start and can embrace a new outlook and perspective. You know I will be keeping it all in my prayers as well... XOXO

angela said...

I've prayed on behalf of that husband's past, as mine has a lot to deal with also and is plodding along easily distracted by the troubles of the day.

I love the poem and want to read the rest.

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