I've Been Blessed

In less than 1 hour a new year will  begin. When we are young we seem to think time stands still. It doesn't. We think we will never get older. We will. We think (or hope) life will always bring joy. It won't. I'm not being a defeatist. On the contrary, I am grateful this is how life goes.

It has been a hard year emotionally. March 24, 2013 marked the 1 year anniversary of my husband's leaving this world and entering his eternal home. I am sure to him it seems but a moment since he was welcomed there. I miss him more tonight than ever before, but I am happy he is rejoicing in the presence of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. There have been disappointments, illnesses and/or deaths of friends, and financial challenges through this year of 2013. Through it all I have had and still have the assurance that God is in control. As I said in a previous post, He is enough.

I have been blessed in 2013 in more ways than I could ever begin to list. No huge miraculous occurrences in my life that I am aware of. Not saying there weren't any, just saying I wasn't aware of any. I know God intervenes many times when we never realize it. There have been some miraculous events in the lives of friends. An automobile accident that destroyed a car and the occupants were unharmed. There has been healing. There has been strengthening & remissions. For all of these I thank and praise Him.

The next few paragraphs will be filled with I's. Not as a means of boasting, but as a testimony to the grace of God.

I have a warm place to lay my head. I have food for my table. I have the love of children and grandchildren.  I have friendship. I have the most loving church family anyone could ever ask for. I have cats who want my attention. I have a dog who loves me unconditionally. Not bad so far, right?

I can hold the Word of God in my hands! I have Christian music to listen to, Christian movies to watch, and Christian books to read. I have the freedom to go to church and worship without fear of imprisonment. Thus far I have the right to share the gospel with anyone willing to listen. I have lived on this earth, in this free country, for 64 years. I have been a born-again, child of the One True God for almost 49 of those years. I awake each morning and go to sleep each night with the knowledge that my heavenly Father will never leave me nor forsake me.

I look forward to what God has planned for me in this new year. I am eagerly awaiting the adoption of my soon-to-be sixth grandchild, third grandson. It's been 11 years since there was a 2 year old in the family. I am excited. I am sure their will be ballgames to attend for my granddaughter, birthdays to celebrate with family, graduation for one of my grandsons, activities and ways to serve at church.

So - you are almost here, 2014. I'm ready.