2022 is almost over.  It has been a tough and rewarding year for me.

How would you describe your 2022?

In March of 2022 I started writing my book about watching God put the broken pieces of my life back together after my son, David Glasser, who was a Phoenix Police Officer, was killed in the line of duty. Losing a child is the most difficult thing I think a parent can experience.  Writing it all down has been an extremely hard and yet cleansing experience.   I have been blogging about it for over 6 years…but writing the whole story is much different. This is the story God has been writing in my life since May 18, 2016; Picking Up the Pieces – the story of one parent’s worst nightmare.  The book is due to be published this March.

Then my husband experienced a life-threatening heart issue at the end of June.  It must not have been the day God has determined would be his last day because the doctors were able to help him and he’s still here.  Again I am reminded how short our lives are and how quickly someone we love can be gone.  The second half of  my 2022 has been scheduled around medical procedures and hospitals visits for him.

Now God is speaking to me about 2023.  He has plans.  Call them resolutions, call them goals, call them my ‘words’ for 2023, it’s obvious that God is using these last several days of 2022 to tell me what he wants me to focus on next year.

So God stopped me as Paul talks to Timothy in his first letter to him – “Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well, holding on to faith and a good conscience..”  1 Timothy 1: 18 & 19.

How do I fight the battle well 2023?  When I’m connected to God through his Word and through his people, he fights my battles with me – guiding me, encouraging me and giving me victory.

How do you plan to fight the battle well next year?

How do I hold onto the faith in 2023?  I have a hunger that growls in my soul with the desire to grow in my love for and knowledge of God.  I am confident that turning off the TV and putting down my phone so I have more time to read and study God’s Word is the right thing for me to do.  I’m adding another small group Bible study to my calendar this year.  My favorite thing about retirement – other than not having to set an alarm – is having all the time I want to spend with God.

How will you hold onto the faith in 2023?

How do I hold on to a good conscience in 2023?  When I’m in line with God, I know down to the depths of my heart and mind that I’m in the right place.  I feel God’s approval and blessing when I focus on him and what he is calling me to do.

How will you hold onto a good conscience next year?

With God by my side, I’m ready. I’m really excited to see what God is going to do with my book – his story.   So bring on 2023 with all its challenges and opportunities. 

Thank you, Abba Father.