A Prayer for the New Year

By Joel Osteen

Father, thank You for getting us through 2009 and leading us into an exceedingly abundant, far-and-beyond decade. We declare what You said in Your Word that with long life You will satisfy us. We believe that You are guiding and directing us. We aren't going back; we're moving ahead and going into this New Year by faith. We aren't looking at the size of our problems; we are looking at the size of our God. You are bigger than any sickness or disease. You are bigger than any marital problem. You are bigger than any financial difficulty. You are bigger than the job reports and the housing market, and we receive every blessing You have for us by faith.

Father, thank You for healing our emotions. Thank You for giving us beauty for ashes. Lord, You said let the weak say I am strong, and so we declare that we are strong, we are blessed, we are free, we are forgiving, we are focused, we are equipped, we are accepted, we are established, and we are well able to do what You've called us to do. We declare that our best days are right out in front of us! Let us be an example of Your goodness to the world around us, and let everything we do this year bring honor to Your name.

We declare today that 2010 will be a new year in our lives. In Jesus' Name, Amen!

Just For a Season

Noong unang call center job ko, sa Ambergriss, I had an amazing friendship with my colleagues. But after 3 months, there was a major change and some of us couldnt continue working for that account we were with, and we had to part ways. I was broken hearted. Ganito pala 'tong industry na 'to. You will open yourself to people, only to find, it doesn't last. My sister told me I could always keep in touch, but I knew it's different from actually being with them always. We would not always be available and we would meet new friends in our new jobs. We could keep in touch, but the friendship will no longer grow. One of the many acquaintances na lang yung dating friendship.

So sa nilipatan kong company, I was putting walls around me. I remember the group of girls I was part of was planning to go swimming in the province. And I was like, no way, I'm not going anywhere with you this early. I am not going to meet your family in the province this early. I could use their company at work, that's it, no strings attach. I was afraid of liking them so much that when it's time to leave for good, it would hurt. They noticed it and I told them why I was like that. Well, I worked with them for a year, so things changed. I was the first one to resign in our group. And that day when I resigned, I forgot to bring my stuff back home, like my pillow and the stuff in my desk, kasi I badly wanted to go home immediately, as saying goodbye to everyone and seeing their sad faces was killing me.

When I left Team Chester because I was transferred, I was sick to my stomach. That's me. Hindi ako FC (feeling close) but when I get attached to a puppy that puppy stays with me. Now Bernie and Jackie just resigned, almost at the same time. Nakakalungkot. New people can fill in the spot they left, but it's not us anymore, it will be a team of people with the same TL and same team name.

Well, sa 2 taon tinagal ko sa work kong ito ngayon, I've seen people come and go. I've learned to be used to it.

I like to quote Pastor Joel Osteen, "There are other people that God brings to your life for a season. We have to accept the fact that things are changing. When God closes a door, it is because God has something better in store. Let them go. Your destiny is not tied to the people that walked away. If you try to make it work and it didn't, accept it as God's plan. Don't fight change. God will always bring the right people in your life." Excerpts from his sermon Living without Crutches.