DEUCES to 2010!

This time last year, I was coasting. I had accepted a promotion at my job and was preparing for new things ahead of me. The end of the year ended with a clear vision of what was in store for me. Little did I know, God had other plans.

I had highs and lows. My promotion did not last a year and my walking papers came in October. A company that was in a hiring frenzy the year before had displaced 150 workers--our jobs outsourced to lower-wage paying workers tens of thousands of miles away in The Philippines. I went from in contract to buy my first home to a stagnant snails place--applying for jobs and telling myself that maybe next year will be my year for a my first home.

So, this December I find myself with no clear direction. I am not sure where I'll be in three months and have no concrete job possibilities on my horizon. But instead of being scared, I'm excited. Fear doesn't capsulate me, hope surrounds me. Sure, I'm a single mother, I have daughter who solely depends on me to support her emotionally, spiritually, financially and academically. The old me might cry every night, followed by hours upon hours of worrying about things I can't change instead of focusing my energy, tears and good sense on the things that are within my control to change. Well, Thank God I'm a new me!

In 2011, I'm not doing the worrying thing. Instead I'll do the trusting God thing.

I'm excited about 2011. I'm excited that God has given me an opportunity to pursue the desires he's given me in a unique way. What better time for me to write a book--a dream I've been sitting on for years but not enough time, energy, ideas and whatever other excuses I could think of to NOT push forward.

It was suggested to me by my mother (she's so smart!) to make a "Casting All My Cares" list. The title is based on the scripture 1 Peter 5:6-7 that reads, "Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting your cares upon Him, for He cares for you."

The idea is to write down all of your cares, desires, hopes, aspirations, goals--then (this is the key) give it to God to handle, work out, take care of, etc. My list includes goals like traveling more, publishing my writing, better financial management and closer, consistent communication with close friends. Mine also has two columns. One column is cares I have for myself and the other side is cares I have for family and friends.

History has shown that when I leave circumstances to my own interpretation and attempt to work them out, I failed or faltered miserably--and sometimes repeat the same actions hoping to get a different result. I can't let history repeat itself in that way. I must entrust my present to the one who knows my future.

What are your cares and desires in 2011? Make a "Casting All My Cares" list. Take it a step further and make a vision board for your life. I got this idea from a friend of mine who is creating a visual picture of what she hopes her life will look like this year. Yup, I've got a scriptural reference for this too! Habakkuk 2:2-3 says, "Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry."

So, I'm writing it down and making it plain!

In 2011 I'm not worrying...I'm trusting God. DEUCES to 2010!