Fri, 07 Aug 2026 04:00:25 -0700WeeblyMon, 01 Jan 2018 03:37:28 GMThttps://www.smyrnabaptistchurch.org/pastor-andrews-blog/year-end-reflections“As I write this, it is a reminder to me that God has grown my faith this year. My prayer in 2017 is that I trust Him more. Not that it will be easy, because growth never is, but that in circumstances that I don’t like, I would see His love and trust His heart. I can’t always know what He plans, but I know His plans are much better than anything I can come up with.”

This was how I ended my post last year in my reflection of 2016. I am thankful to say that my prayer was answered. It was not easy, and there have been many circumstances I did not like. I did not always see what His plans were. To be quite honest (since nobody will read this anyway), I’ve even at times thought “enough is enough!” But I’m reminded that at no point were we without the presence, power, and peace of God in our lives. From hospital rooms to gravesides, from doctor’s offices to wrecker yards, from hard days at work to hard days at home, I am so blessed to know that the God who made the Heavens and earth was never one time shocked by what shocked me!

Perhaps the greatest lessons I’m learning as I prepare to hang a new calendar on the kitchen wall are the things I’ve said to others, but this year I needed to learn. Sure, I’ve said it to people, and meant what I said. And I’ve walked with OTHER families as they lost loved ones. And I’ve comforted other families with the truth of God's word. But this year those words just somehow meant a little more.

I tend to think in songs. Maybe it was my raising in church singing them. But songs rooted in scripture can help us remember the truth of God’s Word and His promises to us.
I’ve grown more to love Johnny’s favorite song: Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand (even in changing times)
I’ve grown more to learn Granny’s favorite song: Amazing Grace (I once was lost, but now I’m found)
I’ve grown more to look forward Gina’s song: Glad Reunion Day (there will be a happy meeting in Heaven I know)

So maybe my prayer is not that different for 2018. I want to trust Him more. “But didn’t you learn your lesson last year?” I have NO IDEA what is in store for next year. But if I have learned anything from 2017 it has been this: I don’t want to face anything, good or bad, without Him. Oh, and the good news: I don’t have to! He promised me after His resurrection from death “I will be with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). If He can overcome death and make that kind of promise to me, then I know I can trust Him with whatever comes up in 2018. He's never faile me yet; no reason to think He'll fail me now!]]>