Reflecting on 2008

"How often has it convinced them, upon a sober recollection of the events of their lives, that if the Lord had left them to their own counsels they had as often been their own tormentor, if not executioners! Into what and how many fatal mischiefs had they precipitated themselves if Providence had been as short sighted as they! They have given their hearty thanks for considering their interest more than their importunity, and not allowing them to perish by their own desires." The Mystery of Providence, John Flavel

2008 has been a very eye opening year. I began with great zeal, working out eating right, using my time wisely, getting my act together, or so I thought. God opened my eyes, to the folly of putting myself first. I realized that individualism doesn't just mean thinking about me, it means thinking about my family and what we need first. I realized that community is bigger than my little world. I learned that we need to worship God rightly first, and then we need to seek to relieve the poor and oppressed. God opened my eyes to the riches that I have taken for granted, and the poverty that I have overlooked. I am seeing that one person's willingness to submit their lives to God and serving their neighbors can change the world. I didn't do any of this, but I am seeing it all around me.

I am grateful for the friends that I have. They have walked with me, and been very kind, and patient with me. I'm not a terribly compassionate person, so I know I am difficult to be friends with. My advice usually runs along the line of "suck it up, it could be a lot worse." They have taken it graciously and still talk to me! They have made meals for me, helped us with adoption paperwork and preparation, they have prayed for me, given me gifts, watched my kids, given wonderful advice and encouragement. I have made new friends and reconnected with old and dear friends. I am learning to appreciate how wonderful it is to have people know you and love you.

God has been very kind to our family this year. We have all learned to love those that don't have the things we have. My children have seen that there are children in the world that are very different from themselves. They are learning about different cultures, races, religions, and it is making their lives richer. They are learning that God is at work in every aspect of their lives, and that He sometimes changes our lives in unexpected ways. They have grown bigger, and a little bit wiser.

It has been a year of change. Change in direction for our home, change in mood in our country, change in perspective for me. It has all been good, and I am convinced will be for our great benefit. This year has been a beginning of new things and I am very excited to see where we are headed. My prayer is that 2009 will be a continuation of seeing what God is working out through my family. Happy New Year.