End of the Old and Beginning of the New

Grateful I am that this year is done, over, finished.

Not that it was a bad year. It really wasn't. It was one with many good moments and memories, funny things that happened, milestone birthdays & anniversaries and just bonding times that have drawn my family closer together.

But it was also a year of pain, sadness, sickness & death. It was a year of disappointments, incredible frustrations (mostly centred around our van), growing pains and tears.

What I have discovered anew is that yes, the good moments are fondly remembered and talked about but they are made better by the fact that they have often come from the "bad" and painful moments of the year. Sometimes set in sharp relief, the happier times were happy because we had to endure the sad stuff. For example, when our van broke down days before we were to head our for a family camping trip, it was very difficult to get past the frustration and almost anger we felt. We don't have any extra money set aside to help us through vehicle repairs and this van tends to rack up expensive repairs and so we end up relying on family and husband's work to get us through. We don't expect them to help but God's provision seems to have included them for which we are very grateful. So there were days when we were sure that we wouldn't get a vacation nor would we even be able to get our van repaired.

And here is where God created joy out of sorrow, peace in the midst of our small storm. My in-laws offered us their vehicle to transport kids and camping gear to where we were intending to spend our holiday. Husband's work offered to get our van to the repair facility and would discuss the bill with us after we got home. So, did we have a good time camping? Absolutely. Did we recognize God's provision and blessing? Absolutely. More examples of God taking care of us after we got home and I am still amazed at God's love and care for us even when it feels and appears like we have nothing to offer.

God is good. He is loving and He is grace incarnate. We are taken through rough and difficult times. None of what God is means that we are immune to struggle and pain and sadness. The truth is that without these things, we don't grow and we don't understand the depths of joy and peace and calm.

So yes, I am glad this year is over. That doesn't mean I will shove my memories and accumulated feelings about the year in a drawer and wish it never happened. Rather the opposite...I can enter the new year understanding how God has changed me and built me up. I can move forward believing that God will continue to create in me a heart of wisdom and strength. I don't know what will happen this new year. I don't know if it will be filled with good or troublesome things. I do know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that God will walk beside me and mine, holding us and caring for us as we abide and live in obedience to Him.

Thank you God for this year...for the good, the bad and the truly ugly parts of it. Thank you for the new year to come...may you use us to bless others as You have blessed us.