December 31, 2011 - end of year thoughts

Wow - it is 'finally' here!  The end of 2011.  Well, the last day, around noon, for me.  As I think back on this past year and all that has happened - or not happened - I am again amazed at God's grace and goodness to me and my loved ones.

Which brings up another thought - why are we always AMAZED when God answers prayer?  Why are we always SURPRISED when God intervenes?  We ask for it - and yet, when He answers, we are like, wow, He answered my prayer!   He is truly AMAZING - but not because He answers our prayers, or doesn't answer our prayers.  He is AMAZING because He is GOD.  There is no one like Him.  There are none above Him.  He is the King of Kings, Lord of Lords.  He is #1! 

What has God done for me this past year?  Many, many things - too many to mention - and yet, so many I have taken for granted.  At the beginning of the year I was able to thank Him for my job.  I had a good job.  But then, He turned and blessed me again - without me praying for it!  He blessed me with an early opportunity to retire from that job.   I have been blessed with the opportunity to have these past two months unemployed to spend more time with Him, work through some of my own issues, spend time with my husband, children, and grandchildren.  Travel to Indiana to visit family.  I've spent more time with friends, because I have the time.  He has given me a great gift this year with this time.  I have not been as productive as I would have liked to be, but, 'things' are always there that need to be done.  Living life is more important than things getting done.  I treasure every memory I have been able to make these past two months.

Today, I have soup on to take to our pastor's new year's eve party tonight.  We are going to gather there and have snacks, soup and salad, desserts, and play games.  We will watch the 'ball' fall in New York at 10PM our time on TV.  Then we leave and go to our own homes.  We are still home before midnight and if we want to stay up we can, but we are home long before the late drivers are out.   Since tomorrow is Sunday and we will need to be up early for church, will probably go on to bed!  Unless I'm still wide awake and we just may need to watch another chick flick!

At 12:00:01 it starts a new day, a new year.  2012.  Did you ever think you would be where you are now at this time?  Or doing what you are doing?  Or in the situation or issue that is with you now?  Are you able to look forward to 2012 and what is available to you - or are you dreading what the year could possibly bring?  Hold on to the thought that you can CHANGE, and you can DREAM, and with God's help, you can BECOME the man or woman you have always wished you were.  I know I have changes to make.  I'm sure you do too.

What are your plans to begin 2012?  I'll share mine tomorrow!   Stay safe tonight!

Blessings!