A Good Year

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. James 1:2-3

I am not one of those people who looks ahead and sets a lot of goals or makes five and ten year plans. Neither do I usually take time and look back at the past year as it winds down to contemplate my successes and failures.

It would seem this year is different. God made many changes in our lives this year. As it turns out – just as He has promised – they have all worked together for our good. Maybe that’s why I am more contemplative this year. A couple of these changes I was not in favor of. I had some pretty serious talks with the Lord as they were progressing to make sure we were getting them right. But, now, several months and some serious soul searching later I can see that He has worked these things together for good.

Change can be hard for some people. I usually like it but this year the changes came through difficult times and I wasn’t at all sure I wanted them. At the time I felt forced, like I was out of control (which I clearly was). Relationship problems, health problems, and, like the rest of the U.S.A., concerns about money and work have plagued us this year. Now, I am glad for all of them.

These changes affected our whole family. Our daughter and son-in-law, and their two children, moved in with us after we had enjoyed several years of an empty nest. A person can get used to peace and quiet and a little organization over time. I never hesitated in this and I prayed a lot that we would make it work. We have, with the grace of our Lord, and have enjoyed the relationships we have gotten to form with all of them. Their living with us will be temporary. The bonds we’ve formed with our grandchildren will be forever!

Another positive part of their living with us was that it freed our son-in-law up to complete a Graduate Degree. He had already been working on it, living here enabled him to step up the pace. It’s a gift for his family to have this completed.

We also felt that we had to change churches this year. We wrestled with this, wanting to worship and serve where God has planned for us. He made it clear we were to move and what we’ve found is that by moving us God has shaken us out of our comfortable complacency. We have to pray and think about ministry and where the LORD would have us serve. We have to consciously reach out to brothers and sisters in the Lord to establish relationships. He has grown us through the process and He has drawn us closer to Him as we have relied on Him to direct us. Spiritual growth is a definite bonus and worth whatever we go through to get there.

Even our Christmas celebrations were different this year. The sister’s family we have celebrated with for 30 years decided to take a trip.  Another sister stayed in her own home and took the in-laws with her. We wondered how it would go for us. It was going to be just us and our kids. It was different and we invited a family of dear friends to join us on Christmas morning. It was delightful. God blessed our Christmas Eve and our Christmas day with peace, joy, and some great conversations. What else could we ask for (except a little family?).

There have been some great happenings in 2010 as well. We added a grandson, the ministry God has called me to in teaching His Word has grown, and our own marriage has been fortified as we have walked through all the difficulties and the joys together. Real friends have stood by us and supported us through it all.

All in all 2010 was good because our God is better, bigger and more capable than we think. He was in control all year – even when I wished I was! When I reflect on the year I see Him in every day and in every decision and move we’ve made. I know Him better, I love Him more, and have a greater understanding of His love for me. He is the One, True God. That alone makes it a great year.

I can truly say with the Psalmist, and hope you can too, “The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.” (Psalm 16:6)