Happy New Year! True growth happens when our hearts grow more peaceful, when we love more, when we become gentler, kinder, and less selfish.

 

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. 

~Psalm 90:12

Happy New Year! This year has passed and a new one is upon us! What a blessing! God is so good to us. I know for me, I am really blessed with my retirement incentive, getting done after teaching for 38 years, 28.5 at my university. It is time. I have had a blessed career. I have had so many wonderful students, publications, and accomplishments, God has been so good to me! True growth happens when our hearts grow more peaceful, when we love more, when we become gentler, kinder, and less selfish.  I am going to continue to grow, more in prayer, reading the Bible, and following Jesus! 

The Mornings With God App today said, "The last day of the year should make us reflect. Have we been faithful? Have we done our best? Have we learned the lessons God set before us this year? None of us have been perfect; we’ve all left things undone. Every one of us has made mistakes. One of the purposes of life is to grow—to learn and improve through our experiences. It’s not just about physical growth or gaining knowledge. You can be stronger or know more and still not be a better person. True growth happens when our hearts grow more peaceful, when we love more, when we become gentler, kinder, and less selfish. On this last day of the year, we should aim to make it beautiful—beautiful enough to be the last day of our life. Let’s finish the year with no duties left undone."

True growth happens when our hearts grow more peaceful, when we love more, when we become gentler, kinder, and less selfish. Too my goal is to pray more, read the Bible more, and working toward being more like Jesus, following Him, reflecting, and imitating Him! May this new year bring us all more peace. I am praying for all to be more loving, positive, and joyful in the Lord! May we have more world peace and love in this world! May Jesus live in the hearts of all of us here on Earth!