I stumbled out of bed, grabbed a plastic bag from the kitchen, and darted to the bathroom.

The bathroom walls appeared to whirl faster than a whirl-a-gig.

I cried out, “Jesus, help me!”

---

Why does my cheek hurt? What am I doing on the floor?

I raised my head. The bag was still in my right hand.

My stomach hurled Thursday night’s dinner, missing the bag completely.

I sopped up the stinking mess.

I lowered my head. The coolness of the ceramic tile against my sore cheek felt good.

Minutes later, I gripped the counter, pulled myself up, and stared in the mirror.

I touched my left cheek bone, and then my chin.

Ouch.

I stared down at the bruising appearing on my right knuckle, and my kneecap.

Ouch, my shoulder hurts.

An instant later, I realized how fragile my life was.

Thank you, Lord, for sparing my life. I could have smashed my head on the bathtub.

I had an ah-ha moment. If my life had ended today, I’d be partying with Jesus in heaven (I had asked Jesus Christ into my heart, a long time ago).

The next morning, I admit, I felt distressed because my hubby had been at work. I was alone, except for my fur baby.

Then, I read John 16:33 . . .

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]

 

This verse also reminded me to be courageous, confident, undaunted, and be filled with joy, in spite of life’s circumstances.

---

Today, the Lord brought to my attention, Isaiah 43:16a . . .

This is what the Lord says,

He who makes a way through the sea

And a path through the mighty waters,

 “Do not remember the former things,
Or ponder the things of the past.”

Okay, Lord. I’ll gladly forget Friday.

I kept reading,

“Listen carefully, I am about to do a new thing,
Now it will spring forth;
Will you not be aware of it?
I will even put a road in the wilderness,
Rivers in the desert.”

Reflections of My Heart

Dear heavenly Father,

I marvel at your goodness and grace in my life. You are truly Awesome.

Thank you for the promise to do a new thing in my life. And that I get a do-over. A fresh start. Yay!

Help me not waste precious time this year.

Help me to hold on to my faith, to rely on You, and to just keep moving ahead with my art and writing, especially on days that are just plain hard.

Thank you that You are the God of Peace, the source of my serenity and spiritual well-being.

Again, thank you, for sparing my life.

In Jesus’ Precious Name, Amen.

That about wraps up my year.

With only a few hours before I ring in the New Year with my hubby, my prayer for you is that . . .

God Will Fill You Up With Peace and Serenity in 2018.  

Happy New Year!

 

Tracy

P.S. If you’d like to know more about having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, I’d love to chat. Just Message Me.

 

This post first appeared on Tracy Campbell’s blog, December 31, 2017.

Artwork created by Tracy Campbell.