Happy New Year

I wanted to write this yesterday, on the first day of the new year, but, as is often the case, life does not wait upon our whims and mine kept going on, as if it didn't know that it was a holiday. So, I write my New Year's message on the second day of the year. That's better than doing it in July, right? 

I hope everyone reading this is as excited as I am about the new year. Things are not going the way many of us would like them to, but, as a friend of mine said on New Year's Eve, that's all the more reason to celebrate, to ring in the new year - we had to put an end to the last year to arrive at the hope and promise of a new one. Still, in the spirit of saying a fond farewell to 2008, I will focus on some amazing things that have touched my life in the last 12 months (this list is not in any particular order and definitely is not all-inclusive):

• My family is loving, healthy, resilient and intact.
• We are still okay financially - great jobs, roof over our heads, food in our bellies, etc.
• My dear, dear friend completed chemotherapy and has taken steps to live life to its fullest.
• I am blessed with the most amazing family and group of wonderful friends (some new and some tried and true) that I could ever ask for.

Last, but certainly not the least of my blessings from 2008, is the realization that last year's leg of my journey brought me - that I am, always have been, and always will be involved in the most amazing love affair of all time - my Savior's love affair with me. While I don't do New Year's resolutions (I set short-, mid- and long term goals for myself in the new year), I resolve this year to actively explore my part in this love affair, to do what I can to uphold my end of this relationship and give back to God - not what He gives me, because that is not possible, but to give what He created me to give, to work on being whom He created me to be, to focus on loving, worshipping, praising and glorifying Him the way He uniquely equipped me to love, worship, praise and glorify Him.

I wish you a blessed and prosperous 2009 and thank you for having joined me on the journey through 2008.

He wraps me in protection, 

in security, in love,

strong hands that bring such comfort 

to my soul.

This world and its distractions 

melt away beneath His touch.

In wonder, I let go of 

all control.

I'm letting go completely 

of myself, of all but Him

to let His love, His goodness 

fill me up.

I revel in His power, 

in His strength and all He gives,

and when I thirst, He's there to 

fill my cup.

I seek Him with a hunger 

that will never go away,

a need to feel His presence 

in my life.

I'm nourished by His nectar, 

by His faithful, holy grace,

completed when I'm walking 

in His light.

I love Him, I adore Him, 

my beginning and my end,

the Rock that keeps me steady 

in His way.

I live to give Him glory, 

to put a smile upon His face,

my purpose is to please Him 

night and day.