A story was told about a man who lost his wife due to a car accident. The man had a small son whom he loved and was trying to help cope with this devastating loss. Daily the boy would ask his father, “When is mommy coming home?” The father would try to change the subject or do something to distract his boy from the awful truth. 

After several days at bedtime one evening after hugs and stories have been given and read, the father turned out the light. A small voice cried, “Daddy, when is mommy coming home?” In the darkness, the father with tears falling down his face replied, “Mommy is not coming home; she is in heaven with Jesus.”  Not a sound was in the room for the briefest of moments when the son said, “Daddy is your face toward me?” “Yes, son, my face is toward you,” he cried. “Then,” spoke his little son, “I know everything will be alright.”  

A short time later the father stands by the window with his face heavenward, “Father,” he cries, “is your face toward me?”  In his heart he knew the answer, and he also knew everything was going to be alright.

How often do we ask similar questions in our own life?  “Father, is your face toward me?” I know personally that I long to know that God’s face is toward me, yet in my weakness and pride how often is my face toward God?  Am I looking to Him for the guidance and direction I need? Am I in his will doing what he wants me to do?

As we begin the new year, I pray and ask God to bless me in the new year and to look toward me as I go on my way through the year. I make my list of the things I want to do this year. Perhaps, instead I need to ask myself is my face toward Him?  Am I only asking God to bless what I am doing or Am I striving to do what He is blessing? A new year brings with it many opportunities to serve the Lord. With these opportunities comes the challenge to go beyond what we know to do.  Have we sought the face of God in the new year and asked Him what He would have us to do with the year we have been given? 

Jesus in his earthly ministry spoke of ”being about his Father’s business” on many occasions. This is a wonderful example for us to follow. If Jesus, himself, went about doing the work of the kingdom of God and following his Father’s will and not his own, how much more should we do the same. 

My January schedule seems to fill up faster than any other month, but I need to make sure God’s schedule for me is the first one I look to.  We must follow what He has for us to do.  This sometimes may mean that we have to say, “no”, to something that may be good to do, but if it is not on His schedule for us it is best for us to say, “no”, no matter how scary it may be for us.  Pray over your schedule.  In the busyness of the new year let us all follow the wisdom of Matthew 6:33.  “But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.”  With childlike faith trust God to know what is best for you to do with your days. 

Seek his kingdom first; Seek His face first and everything will be alright.