One of the Best

Another year will soon be over. As I review it in my mind's eye, I see that it hasn't been without golden moments. Some of these didn't appear to be so at first, but now I know better. They seemed to be very bitter, and pointless; but it was these that brought about changes that perhaps never would have occurred otherwise. *Maria's* death helped me better understand the frailty of this life, and the hope of another. My ever-present physical discomfort and other hard trials, I learned, are a chance to prove GOD's power to let me weather tribulation well. Even more, all these things brought me closer to Him as I searched my own life for things that could be standing between me and heaven, me and the answer to prayer. Although I probably didn't allow them to work all the changes they could have, they have not been in vain. I've gained a drop or two more of personal experience in my walk with the LORD, and for that I am grateful.

Not only has this year brought spiritual improvement, but also physical, mental, and social improvement. I'm not the ablest person, but visits to the chiropractor have been paying off, slowly but surely. Along with many other things, I can lift both my legs myself now when going up stairs, and stand a little easier too. I have made headway in being more independent--including getting my slippers on, and after discovering that the sink wasn't so hard to stand at as before, doing the dishes again after a two-year hiatus. I've made leaps and bounds in terms of my education, even though I still have a long ways to go due to being so slack the past few years. Friends have come, and some have gone--but not without teaching me a thing or two!

Yet for all this, I know I didn't make the most of this year. There have been failures as well as successes. I failed to learn lessons the important lessons of self-control sooner. I've failed to use my time and talents as wisely as possible, every day and all day. I've failed to always be kind, patient, unselfish--in short, to always be Christ-like. I've failed to know Him as well as I should, and failed to fit myself as much as I could for the home He is preparing for me. When I look at all that loss, I am tempted to feel that I have no gains.

Thankfully that isn't the case with me, and I'm sure it isn't with you either. While we are to rejoice in this, however, we are to remember that we can't eclipse the fact that in some way or another, we missed reaching the mark. What can we do? Not change it, no. It is too late for that. We can ask God's forgiveness for our shortcomings, and take hold of His strength to make this coming year one of the best of our lives. Rest assured, He will give it to you, to me, if we simply ask and believe. He longs for us to reach a higher standard far more than we do, so He will do all He can to help us to reach it--if we are willing to be helped, willing to follow His directions. He says to us as surely as He did to the Israelites of old, "Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. ...And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin:" (Isaiah 1:16-18, 25). "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." (Isaiah 41:10).

 

I aim to take hold of these promises and let this year be one of the best I've ever had. I hope you do too.

 

Blessings,

Jean

 

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