It's Friday morning...early. There's a storm outside and it's such a sweet sound...it makes me thankful. There's so much around me that fills my heart with gratitude. My wife...my children...my church...my health. But even still, I must hold loosely to these temporal gifts and cling to my God as this year comes to a close.
Yesterday, something happened that has confirmed His never-ceasing presence in my life. He sent someone close to me into my day to remind me that this mission is from Him and not my own doing. Do you ever have those moments when you cry out to God, "Are You the One or should we look for another?"..."Jesus, is this what You have ordained, or did I venture out on my own.?" And then the answer covers me like a goose-down comforter. Thank you "B" and "J" (and "E" and "M.E.") for glimpsing what God is doing in this part of the "uttermost parts" of His terra firma and linking with the task of shining the Light of Peace...Hope...Joy into a darkened community that has yet to see it. I love you.
I'm beginning the year with a respite...a time of prayer, fasting, planning for what God is going to do this '08. I'm looking forward to it and dreading it all at the same time. It'll be sweet and sour...savory and bitter...eye-opening and confusing...and necessary for the journey. Good-bye '07. I thank God for what you've taught me and will never be the same because of you...and I'm glad to see you go. I will forget you because you are what lies behind and I must press on (Phil 3:13-14).