Summer is nearly over! Can you believe it? Soon kids will be going back to school and the normal routines of life will resume. For Lindsey and I, we will be sending our oldest, Caleb, off for his first day of kindergarten! It is hard to believe this day is just around the corner. If you see a river flowing from Wade, it will be Lindsey's tears! Who am I kidding? It will be mine, too! 

This new chapter for our family reminds me that we all go through seasons of life. Old doors close and new doors open. For many of us these new chapters can be unsettling. If we are not careful we will allow fear to keep us from walking through unbelievable doors of opportunity. The encouragement we have is knowing we do not walk through these moments of life alone, but with the wonderful presence of our Lord. There are over 4,000 promises of God in the Bible, but I do not know of any more precious than the promise of God's presence (Ps. 16:11, Ps. 23:4, Matt. 18:20, Matt. 28:20). To know that the God of the universe walks with me! This truth is so powerful and so personal! 

Are you facing a new season of life? Are you sending a kid off to kindergarten or maybe college? Are you starting a new job? Are you in a new relationship?  Is God calling you to serve Him in a new way? What open door stands before you? Do not allow fear to steal your joy and the blessings God has for you. Remember we "walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Cor. 5:7). For that which we see does not require faith! The Bible tells us, "without faith it is impossible to please God" (Heb. 11:6).  A life lived in fear does not honor God. In fact, fear displays a lack of trust in God. So, today, choose faith! Choose to trust God even when you do not know what is around the corner. But, you do know He is there! That is all that really matters! ​

As the page turns on another year, I have been thinking about the possibilities of the year ahead. Personally, professionally, and familially, what will the year hold? For most of us there are more questions than answers, however, there is one word that best describes the coming year for me–faith. 

The author of Hebrews defines faith as "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Heb. 11:1). There are alot of things that cannot be seen in the year ahead. I do not know the future, but I know who holds the future.  I also know that His plans are good plans. Why? Because God desires the end to be His glory. He desires all things to be for His glory! In this profound truth I find my rest. I have faith that my God is able! I have faith that in His timing He will work. By faith, I trust in Him! 

So, what's your word?