“A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices. For yonder breaks a new glorious morn!” -Oh, Holy Night
This year has brought with it many changes for our family that were both hard and wonderful. We have had heartache, last goodbyes, loss and letting go as well as celebration, warm welcomes, long embraces and new beginnings.
As the New Year approaches, I feel a thrill of hope rising up within me, one that I have not felt in sometime. I don’t mean the wishful thinking kind of hope. Instead a deep rooted hope that groins inwardly for that which has not yet come to pass while also waiting expectantly. A hope that rises up to meet the new day, believing that even on the darkest nights, the glorious light of dawn will surly come.
I see Him who is able to do immeasurably more than I can imagine, weaving His way through my own heart, renewing and restoring broken places. He feels so tangibly close. His gaze always one of kindness, understanding, delight and unwavering love.
I pray that whatever hardships you may have endured this year, whatever trails you are facing, whatever expectations you may have for the New Year, may you know deep down that you are not alone. Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us, is tangibly close. His gaze of sheer delight and unfathomable, unwavering love always on you. He is doing something new, weaving His way through our lives and our hearts. Bringing beauty from that which is broken.
May the truth of His birth, life, death and resurrection give you a thrill of hope that rises up from somewhere deep within. His love making way for something new, expansive and glorious.
Happy New Year with love from our family to yours!
““Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18-19
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,” Ephesians 3:20
“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.” Psalms 143:8
![I Am the Lucky One [Printable]](https://i0.wp.com/www.magnoliaheart.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/printable_i_am_the_lucky_one_square.jpg?fit=500%2C500&ssl=1&resize=40%2C40){kind=small}
Happy New year to you and your lovely family. Thank you for the beautiful writing that you do all year long! God’s blessings upon you!
Thank you Diane for your words of encouragement!!
Well said, as usual. I affirm that deep hope. Our God is the God of hope and I sense it, too.
Thank you Fran:)
I love your sweet family! And I love your blog posts… they buoy me up too! May the new year bring much happiness to your family. Oh and it looks like Fritz fits right in 😉
We love you too!! I’m thankful that my posts are an encouragement to you as well. I mainly write to speak truths I am learning into my own heart and my hope and prayer is that they will in turn resonate with another’s heart.
Fritz does fit right in, he is such a needed part of our family in many ways:)
His hope is definitely a thrill to feel. The change in my heart is palpable. Thank you for your blog.
Thank you Merci for your words. I’m thankful for the ways you and other wise woman continue to confirmed what God is teaching my heart.