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“Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23).
 As each New Year begins, it is customary to take a look back over the past one, and evaluate the events of the last months. Then, in light of all the trials and celebrations God has brought us through, hopefully we may be refreshed and encouraged for that which lies ahead.
For our family, 2006 was a year full of upheaval and change. We began the year by packing up and moving to a new state, pretty much by faith. We felt God was leading us to a new town where we believed a new ministry opportunity awaited. Moving meant putting our home building plans on hold, plans that had been in the works for two years. At the urging of what could have only been the Holy Spirit, our new plan was to move from our home near Los Angeles to a small town in Colorado. We were sure that God was telling us to be closer to my sister who was also involved in ministry, and who had been having health problems.
The move did not go smoothly. Our movers got lost, and their truck broke down. The jobs we thought were to be ours did not pan out. The town was different from what we had been used to in the large metropolis of Los Angeles. People dressed differently, talked differently, drove differently. The everyday pace was much slower. There was so much change to get used to! As former missionaries, we had thought that moving to a new state would be a piece of cake, but it was pretty much like being on the mission field again.
The one constant in all of this upheaval has been God’s ever-present peace. As the scriptures from Lamentations tell us, God’s faithfulness is new every morning. With each beautiful new sunrise coming over the eastern plains, I am reminded of God’s words, and no amount of change is too much to bear. God has been, and will be, ever faithful to see us through. God’s plans have unfolded; our move has proven to be a rewarding one. We are now serving as the ministers of the local First Baptist Church where we live. It’s a new beginning for the congregation as well as for my family, and once again we are excited about the future. As we look ahead and walk by faith, may this be our prayer for the New Year:
Prayer: Dear Lord, let us be encouraged by this new beginning You have given us. Let us be ever thankful that Your faithfulness is new every morning. Lord, as we face the New Year together, may we be found worthy to do Your will. Help us to see the road ahead clearly, even if it is only a step at a time. We thank You and praise You for bringing us out of the old and into the new. Help us to walk in Your newness daily, and share Your glorious hope with those with whom You have entrusted us. In Your glorious name we pray, Amen.
Lorraine Simpson
Clergy Spouse
First Baptist Church
Cañon City, CO
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