As we head into the new year, we always think of New Year’s resolutions. But what about an opportunity of new beginnings altogether?


As my son graduated from college just two weeks before christmas, he became excited about finally being finished with school and striving to start his next chapter. He has been working really hard to get hired on to the police department for several years now, not expecting anything until he held his degree in his hand and now is the time. 


His expectations are high that he will be hired on with the county and going to the police academy in the coming March, but no guarantees. So of course, he is feeling insecure. He talked to the undersheriff, wondering about the possibility of being hired after all of the tests and interviews he has completed. The undersheriff basically told him to relax because he was on their radar for the academy in March. 


Moving forward in time, it is only a few days since his conversation with the undersheriff,  he receives a phone call from him; a position for the academy in January has opened, and he is offered  the slot. All his hard work has paid off. He is offered his dream, what a perfect christmas gift. He officially starts with the department just before the new year, being sworn in on the 6th of January. How exciting for him? Even more exciting, the undersheriff asked him about his choice for a badge number, telling him his badge number will be available and offering it to him. 

(He wanted it to go to someone he felt would do well in the department.) What an honor it was for my son, and of course he accepted it with pride.


Jerimiah 29:11 -- “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”


In life we all look for direction in our life. It is so reassuring when things work out, that is God at work. When things work out so well, but the insecurity rises, satan knows he has already lost but he likes to play with our head just one more time. During those times satan plants one more seed of doubt. We wonder was this really God’s plan in our life, or did we have it all wrong. But by remaining faithful and not giving up on that dream, just waiting out the storm, letting nature or God take his course, things work out just as they were meant to. 


Psalm 32:8 -- “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.”


Pursuing God’s will in our life brings a peace of mind, we would not find if we pursue things which do not coincide with God’s plan or purpose in our life. When our son first started college, he was chasing a degree in Computer Science. Uncertain of his direction in life at that time, Things did not flow as well for him and he was not as comfortable in his decisions. I won’t say everything was perfect, the military did cause some delays in his completing college in the timeframe he was hoping for, but his goals did not change.



2 Thessalonians 3:16 -- “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.”


I have to say the part which warmed our hearts as parents was when he stated that he could since God’s hand in all of this, because the timing of it all could not have been better.