The Year of Restoration
Then He who sat on the throne said,“Behold, I make all things new.”And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” Revelation 21:5 I’m calling 2010 the Year of Restoration!
I woke up this morning reading my prayer journal for the year (first goal: be more consistent!). I am amazed at all that God has done for me and my family.
This year He restored to us our finances. Looking back on March 16, 2010 I wrote this line, “This is the hardest time yet Lord.” Or reading this blog post always brings tears to my eyes to know where we came from. But I am thankful that He has brought us out of the storm.
He restored to us our home. This was a hard one this year. When you are living in the unknown and don’t have any control over the situation is so tough. In my prayer journal, I would just keep writing, “Give us a testimony, give us a testimony!” And on June 10, 2010 He did! He gave us a modification that was 40% less on our house payment!! That’s a testimony! Trust me I’m not embarrassed because if you knew what we lost in the beginning you would see how God restored to us what was lost.
He restored our business. When we moved here from Denver in August of 2004 to start this new venture, Roofing by Design, we always said that this wasn’t our business but God’s business. And we held tight to that all these years. I will admit though at times it was harder to say that in the good times than the bad. Going into 2010 was continuing to be the hardest year that 2009 gave us. All we could hope was that it was going to be better. To think in 2009 we were sitting on our last $300…everything gone going into the unknown of 2010. I’m here to say that God has restored the business. We never closed shop and grew this year more than we did the last two years. We are already forecasted for an incredible 2011! On May 10, 2010 I wrote in my journal, “I pray that this year be a year of direction. It’s as though the money we made in years past and spent on foolish things and now it’s as if I want it back to do it differently. To look at it as seed that needs to be sown in ministries, missionaries, people’s lives.” I write it out for all of you to see and hold me accountable.
He restored our church. 2010 was a rough year for us finding a church home. We moved to a new area in September 2008 and continued to go to our home church in Nashville. But when we moved we went from a 15 minute drive to a 50 minute drive to church. We just couldn’t do it anymore; when we were getting ready to have a our oldest child in the youth program. So in April of 2009 we decided to find a church close to home. We decided to try and small church in the area. Stayed there for awhile. Let’s just say we moved on. We went back to our home church for a little while and knew it was just for a season until God tells us where we need to be. I looked back in my journal and on March 20, 2010 I wrote, “I just want a perfect church! As you gave a perfect sacrifice, how can I think you deserve anything less.” In June of 2010 he restored our faith. We now go to an incredible church close to home. The kids absolutely love it and we have made so many friendships!
I am so thankful that He brought us through so much. Yet, I know we had to go through the fire, through the storm, to come out refined. There is so much PRAISE in that!
In this process, I never sought to be restored to my original condition rather I wanted to advance to the fullness of God’s intention. That He makes all things new.
“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” 2 Corinthians 4:17
May 2011 be a year that we bask in His presence and in our newness celebrate with others what He has done and what He is about to do.
What has God restored to you in 2010 and what do you plan to do with it in 2011?
