Trust for the new year

I am the LORD, who opened a way through the waters, making a dry path through the sea… But forget all that— it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. Isaiah 43:16, 18-19 NLT

Are ‘trust’ and ‘faith’ the same thing? Do they look the same when you live them out? I think that’s what trust is — living out your faith.

Excitement runs up my spine as I wait to see what God has ahead… what is new… what has already begun …  God has a plan and purpose for this next chapter of my life and I wait for the pieces of that to be revealed in 2013.

Hemingway said, “The best way to find out if you can trust somebody is to trust them.”

In what are you putting your trust this year?

Merry Christmas! Happy birthday Jesus!

“For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 NLT

Happy birthday Jesus!
Merry Christmas everyone!!

Today I am will keep looking at Jesus, instead of my empty living room.

I will savor the peaceful quiet, instead of aching for the sounds of children.

I will thank Him for a roof over my head and food to eat, instead of wishing I had been able to give wrapped material things to everyone I love.

I will praise Him daily for this extended sabbatical, knowing He is still preparing my new job, rather than worry about the missing paychecks.

I will Praise HIM for the pieces of this ‘new normal’ that are not quite comfortable but apparently necessary for me. I trust.

God has given us the greatest gift we will ever receive… His only son and with belief in Him, life that will not end with the Almighty God.

Now that is a gift!

 

Response time.

How quickly do you respond when you receive an email? Not a spam, selling-type email but a note from a friend or colleague, a question from a client.

How long does it take to write a simple response to an email? I guess that depends how quickly a person can navigate a keyboard. But seriously?

I’m not talking about a confrontational-type sensitive email that sometimes needs to be written in a business situation, but rather a response to a question or even just acknowledgement of the email received. Examples of quick responses:

* Thank you for your message. I’ll research it and get back to you! Have a great day!

* Good to hear from you! Life is insane busy right now; will write more later!

* Let’s catch up soon! Miss you!

In my business experience, with my clients, there is a maximum acceptable 4-hour window for a response of some sort. Depending on the request, I will reply as immediately as possible, and depending on the nature of their request, I may pick up the phone and call for clarification or expediency.

With the exception of a text or IM message where an instant response is needed, my friends and family know that I will respond within minutes of receiving their message. (Unless sent after 9pm. Then it will wait until early the next morning.)

Is it unreasonable for me to expect that response time from others? What do you consider a realistic expectation?