Happy New Year's Eve

December 31, 2009. . .

There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under Heaven

. . .a time to plant, and a time to uproot

. . .a time to tear down, and a time to build

. . .a time to scatter stones, and a time to gather them

. . .a time to keep, and a time to throw away

. . .a time to be silent, and a time to speak. from Ecclesiastes 3

How eloquent are the words of the philosophical writer of Ecclesiastes. Today, the last day of this year, brings an opportunity for each of us--

"a season to", "a time to" consider--

Before the ball drops tonight, could we take a few minutes to consider 2009? Before thinking of where you would like to go in 2010,

where have you been in 0-9?

What were the highlights, the joys for you?____________________________________________

Count the blessings of your year, dear one-____________________________________________

Look around you even now--what are your blessings?___________________________________

How about the struggles, the learning curves of 2009?__________________________________

'Anything that caused great pain or loss?_____________________________________________

How did you grow in 2009?______________________________________________________

'Opportunities you missed, wish you had back?______________________________________

'New relationships?____________________________________________________________

Now, look back to the verses above--are there things you need to 'uproot'? things you need to "throw away"?

Are there things you would like to build on?

Tomorrow, we look forward. . .

There is so much value in considering where we've been, what we have experienced, before forging into a new season. Most years, I have just let the ball drop, without any looking back at all--oh, sure, I've thought, 'phew, 'glad this year is over!' but never took stock as to highs AND lows, trials AND blessings, thanking God for how He sustained me, in spite of it all. So, I'm going to print this out for myself, and take a little time to reflect.

May God bless you, my dear friends, on the eve of this New Year--

Christine