Looking to the Past, Present, and Future
As I reflect on this past year, often my heart was so deeply troubled about things that are happening in our nation and in this world. The truth that often kept me going is that God is still in control. He always has been and He forever will remain the King of the World. We don’t always see visible evidences of His love and grace, and it sometimes seems that evil prevails. But God will always be the ultimate Victor. He’s got us. He will never abandon us. He is always with us, working towards our good.
As I gaze into the new year, I know God will always remain faithful. He has helped me this far and He will hold me up through whatever happens this year. My desire is to more deeply trust Him and His plan and to fully embrace His unconditional love. The more I embrace His love, the more naturally love will pour out to others around me.
As for the present, I want to embrace every moment. I want to open my eyes more to the blessings right in front of me, the beauty God gives each day.
Past, present, future. No matter what happened or will happen to us, God’s faithful love endures forever. We may not always “feel” like He loves us, but this truth still stands. May we hang onto this hope each day!
“Jesus Christ is the same
yesterday, today, and forever.”
Hebrews 13:8
Most Visited 2018 Blog Posts
Sometimes when people hear I write blog posts, they ask, “How many followers do you have?” I shrug my shoulders and say I don’t know.
Years ago, I was too concerned about numbers, and I still fall into that trap sometimes. People approval still lurks in my heart far too much. I remain a work in progress…
Though I don’t check anymore how many followers I have, I do once in a while check which posts are read the most. It’s evident there are many hurting souls who need hope in this broken world. Who long to feel like they matter. Who long to feel understood and not feel so alone.
This 2015 post has been the most read post for the past three years. We may feel so broken, like we’re not worth anything, but God loves cracked pots. His love can shine through our brokenness!
God’s Love Can Shine Through Our Brokenness
This next 2014 post has been the second most read post for the past two years. In 2018, it nearly tied for 1st. Questions I still sometimes ask God. It seems I daily need to be reminded of His whispers of reassurance to these doubts and fears that trouble me. I love God’s compassion and patience with us! He invites us to ask Him anything, and He never condemns us! There is no one who knows us and understand us like He does!
God Knows Us Better Than We Know Ourselves
My Hope For Each Of Us
May We Remind Each Other Often
He’s Got the Whole World In His Hands
On New Year’s Day, a song came to my heart – “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands.” I listened to it on YouTube and found another rendition of it. I still love the traditional song, but I love this one even more, because it speaks of how good God is, how His love will never stop, and how every person of every color is wonderfully made and precious in His sight.
I have watched and listened to this song several times since then, and every time it makes me want to dance and sing with these young people. I’d do it if I could without getting short of breath or coughing. 🙂 But I still do it in my heart! And each time, God breathes strength into my soul. Yes! We are in His hands of love this year and always! What better hands could we be in, right?
Freed to Fly 
That video made me smile! There is beauty in the everyday. I’m working on how to run my own race of hope so those troubling circumstances around me don’t bring me down. And stay solid in the truth you proclaim here, Trudy–that God loves us and understands us, past, present, future, now!
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I’m so glad the video makes you smile, Lynn. 🙂 Sometimes we need upbeat lyrics and tunes to enliven us, don’t we? I’m sorry for the troubling circumstances surrounding you. It can be hard to run that “race of hope.” May we moment by moment cling to the truth that no matter what God loves us and understands us!
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What a fun song, Trudy! And what an encouraging blog post, my friend! This is my prayer and desire for the coming year too: “As for the present, I want to embrace every moment. I want to open my eyes more to the blessings right in front of me, the beauty God gives each day.” Love and hugs to you!
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I’m glad you were encouraged, Lois. Yes, that song is fun. 🙂 Love and hugs to you, too! I so need to embrace the present more, too. Sometimes painful circumstances can blind us to them, can’t they? May we together open our eyes more to present blessings and embrace them moment by moment!
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As this year unfolds, I will be leaning more and more upon the strength and comfort of our loving God. Yes, there are troubles in this world, Trudy, that’s for sure, but we can rest assured that God’s got it all!
Blessings, my friend, and thank you for your meaningful words here!
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Yes! God’s got it all! When we can fix our eyes on Him, we can get through troubles. Blessings to you, too, Martha! May we together lean more and more upon the strength and comfort of our loving God!
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Ephesians 6:12 is a constant, and necessary, reminder to me when I look upon the faces of some of those who are shaping our world news today. God can, and will, use anyone to His purposes. Our hope is in Him. Blessings on your new year, sweet friend!
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Thank you for sharing that verse, June. Yes, those powers of darkness are strong. Yes! Our hope is in Him! God still reigns! May we put on the whole armor of God to resist all evil! Blessings on your new year, too!
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Dear Trudy,
Oh, I am so thankful that you have listened to the Lord to continue sharing your heart here. Your posts have resonated in my heart so deeply, time after time. What a good thought to cling to in this chaotic world: He is still holding onto us here. He has not forgotten us, and we still belong to Him. Thank you for these beautiful thoughts to begin this New Year. May you be blessed by Him as you obey Him here. Love and Hugs to you! xoxo
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I’m thankful you continue to post, too, Bettie. Your posts honestly resonate in my heart as well. No, He hasn’t forgotten us and we still belong to Him. There’s such a comfort in that in this chaotic world, isn’t there? Love, hugs, and blessings to you, too! May we moment by moment cling to our faithful God and His amazing love for us!
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These are such great truths to hold onto: that God has the whole world in his hands and that he is always the same whatever else is changing around us. I loved your post from 2015 too. That was before I started blogging so I haven’t read it before. One of my Kintsugi posts is consistently my most viewed post so I think a lot of people are looking for hope that God can use them even in their brokenness. Love and hugs to you, and hope you have a wonderful 2019!
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I can easily understand why your Kintsugi posts are the most viewed, Lesley. They greatly blessed me as all your posts do, but those were some that deeply resonated in my heart and comforted me. Yes, so many are looking for hope that God can still use them even in their brokenness. Love, hugs, and blessings in 2019 to you as well! No matter what may happen this year, may we cling to the truth that God has the whole world in His hands!
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Now I shall be singing, “He’s Got the Whole World…” and love it. Haven’t been reminded of that wonderful song in ages. I known He is our All and that brings me so much peace. That one small verse in Hebrews holds the power of it all…Jesus holds the power of our very lives yesterday, today and tomorrow for He is the Power. Hallelujah!!
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It’s a comforting song to be singing, isn’t it, Linda? Yes, He is our ALL and holds the power of our lives yesterday, today, and forever! May we cling to that Truth each moment of our lives!
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What a joyful, victorious song! It made me smile and wish I too could dance along with them. If only… 🙂 But even if that wasn’t possible, my soul was set to dancing by your encouraging and inspiring words. These resonate so much:
“My desire is to more deeply trust Him and His plan and to fully embrace His unconditional love. The more I embrace His love, the more naturally love will pour out to others around me.”
Amen! May it be so, Lord. This is a #metoo moment for me and one I truly hope comes to pass for both of us. Thank you, Trudy, for the hope you always share here and the way you point us to the saving grace of Jesus time and again. Love and hugs and a Happy New Year to you, dear friend! xo ❤
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I’m so glad your soul was set to dancing, Joy. I just read your post and can see such a similarity in our deepest soul longings. Yes! May it be so, Lord! Thank you for your encouraging words! Love and hugs and Happy New Year to you, too! May it be a year of an ever deeper understanding of the love of God and of the patience that comes from Christ! (I love how the TLB translation of 2 Thessalonians 3:5 that you mentioned in your post translates it into “an ever deeper understanding.” That is so what we need, right?)
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Isn’t it a beautiful gift when souls link together in the hope and solace they find in Scripture? And in being like-minded in their hopes and longings. Amen to the blessing you shared! Yes, we do so need “an ever deeper understanding” as we seek to deepen our walk with God and learn more about His love and hope. Sing it, sister! xo 😊💜
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Yes, it truly is a beautiful gift, Joy. ❤️ 🙏🏻 🌈
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Trudy, your place is always filled with hope. It’s no wonder people stop by and read your uplifting words and truths. I am always encouraged by you. And that video? So fun! Thanks for sharing it. I really enjoyed it.
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Thank you for your kind words of encouragement, Jeanne. I’m so glad you always find hope here. It is a deep desire in me to be authentic about pain in our lives and to point readers to our hope in Jesus. Hope is the anchor of our souls, right? I truly am always encouraged when I read your posts as well. I’m glad you enjoyed the video, too. 🙂 Sometimes we need to pump ourselves up with God’s truth, right? I’m so glad your mom is progressing! May we learn to more deeply trust God’s love and His plans in this coming year!
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Well, those verses from Lamentations 3 are among my favorites, dear Trudy. An inspiration, a reminder, a hope that all is in His powerfully tender hands.
Truly, it is such a pleasure to do life with you online. I feel blessed to call you friend …
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Those verses have inspired me and filled me with hope many times, too, Linda. Yes, all is in His powerfully tender hands. I find it a pleasure to do life with you, too. I always find your site a safe place filled with love, acceptance, and hope. May we open our hearts more and more to the depth of our God’s faithful love whose mercies never end!
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“As for the present, I want to embrace every moment. I want to open my eyes more to the blessings right in front of me, the beauty God gives each day…” YES!! Me, too! Huge hugs to you, dear Trudy! ❤
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Huge hugs to you, too, Lynn! May we together embrace every moment of beauty God gives us each day!
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Thank you for your reflections on the past, present, and future. It is evident how God is the center of your life. Your words bless many and even if you don’t have a specific number to attach to the many, God knows and is honored by the ministry you do here on this page.
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Thank you for your kind encouragement, Mary. There is always more to know of the depths of God’s love for us, isn’t there? I love your word for this year. May we more and more open our hearts to receive His love and guidance!
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