As I sit here in the morning light of 2011, I count my blessings and smile up at God in gratitude for His grace and love. He has given me so much throughout my life, and while the good and wonderful has been intermixed with times of struggle, He was there with me throughout and got me to the other side. Looking back at 2010, and years before that even, I see that the wonderful blessings have far outweighed the struggles this year.
Across the room from me sits the most amazing husband in the world. Without him I would feel so lost, and knowing that God brought him into my life to be my love and my companion is on top of my list of things to be grateful for. We laugh, argue, struggle and overcome challenges together, and at the other side is always love, forgiveness and acceptance for each other and who we are on the inside.
Out there living their own lives, even while being involved in mine, are two amazing kids and the people they have chosen as their partners in this life. I am so grateful for my daughter and my son, for my son-in-law and my soon to be daughter-in-law. When I see those kids gazing at the one they love and see that love reflected back at them, well, it's all a mother could ever really want for her children. The financial struggles, job issues, living situations . . . all that is just "stuff" that comes and goes in life, but if that "stuff" is faced with someone who is steadfastly by your side then it can be dealt with properly and they can move on to something else, be it better or not! Do they always make the choices I believe would be best for them? Of course not! You show me any kid who does and I'll show you someone afraid to face the world. But the choices they make they make without apology and head on. Good for them!
This last year brought us a new church home, and beloved friends through that church. I had forgotten how much I cherished the feeling of fellowship and togetherness that comes from worshipping God with other believers. After convincing myself that I could follow God adequately on my own - and I never did leave His side - I find that I wasn't entirely correct in that conclusion. The re-fueling I get each week from worship, prayer and learning in that place of God, being taught by teachers who were brought to this place, in this time, to serve this community, nothing beats it, and I thank God for leading us to where He wants us to be. And blessings abound! We have met and come to love some amazing people through this church, people who we are proud and happy to count as family in our lives.
This last year brought difficulties in the form of trees targeting our house and cars (3 trees, 3 incidents of damage - what the ???), but thank God nothing was destroyed and we were able to fix the issues with minimal cost. It could have been so much worse! It brought my son going to Haiti to help with the relief efforts after their earthquake, and brought him home safely again. The beginning of 2011 sees him preparing to leave for across the world - and though I will miss him with all of my heart, and as any mother would and should, worry every day,but I am proud of the man my son has become and will pray for his safety each day, and look forward to his homecoming with joy in my heart. This year brought my daughter's marriage to her soldier! I am so proud of them both, and my heart is filled with joy knowing that they are continuing their journey together, with love in their hearts for the one they feel was brought specifically to them to love and walk through life with. They face their challenges, as do we all, but they've walked through the fire together already and survived, and I'm proud of them for taking what they wanted in each other and holding on tightly with both hands.
The list of blessings could go on and on, but what it boils down to that we survived the struggles in 2010, but made it through with cherished friends, surrounded by loving family, and are looking ahead to 2011 for blessings, strength in difficult times, preparing our lives for what God has in store for us next. May my family be kept safe in God's hand, may my friends be blessed with His glory, and may we all draw closer together through Him who has given us life.
God Bless and Happy New Year!!!
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