2008 Year in Review

2008 Reflections

by Angie VanderVinne

As 2008 ends, I cannot help being amazed at all the blessings 2008 bestowed on my family this year. 2008 began with a bang when I walked away from co-workers I dearly loved and a profession I enjoyed. This choice was made due to God's calling for my life and to live the joy-filled life God wanted for me and my family. The hurtful circumstances leading up to this choice, were ones I would rather have avoided at the time, but I know that God leads you through storms to teach and strengthen. Giving up half of our family income was definitely a “fear factor” but I was reassured through prayer and reading to trust God's provision. Having the gift of money management helps too!

The transition to work-at-home mom has been an incredible experience, and I would not trade 2008 for all the money in the world. God has inscribed on my heart that he will provide for my NEEDS, and that my wants will decrease and become less important. Is it easy? No! I still crave the material things of this world, but with God's help I am committed to pursue a money ministry and to allow God to fulfill me instead of “stuff”. I've shared the following verse in several articles and I rest in this verse, “For I know the plans I have you, declared the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jer 29:11.

My New Year's challenge for you is to spend some time with God discerning his will for your life. Ask yourself some tough questions: What is my passion/calling? What steps need to be taken to pursue my calling? If I was not afraid, could I fulfill my calling? Along with that I encourage you to read the following books: “The Dream Giver” and “The 4:8 Principle”. I was given these to read in my time of need, and have drawn much from these books. Happy New Year and may God speak to you and may you be able to discern his voice.

by  Editor, theCity1.com
December 26, 2008