Remembering

When I was younger I could remember anything, whether it happened or not. ~ Mark Twain

Twain, what a pistol he is even after he's been gone for nearly a hundred years. He reminds me of a pastor friend who often says, "I've already told you more than I know." Sometimes I feel this way blogging.

Today, I am reflecting back over this past year. Those who have been reading Haven, and I thank you, know that two eventful things happened to me in 2008. The first was that my sister married in January. This is made more pertinent in that we had shared a home for seven years. Even now we co-own a home, this very haven where I am now living. 2007 was a year filled with anxiety as I did not know how I would cope with all the changes; 2008 began in anxiety as these same fears continued. I was trusting God on the one hand, but still feeling nervous. Here I was, just like the disciples in the boat with Jesus, yet scared silly when a storm blew up.

The second eventful thing was that I married in July. I'll not retell the story, though you can find it here, if you are unfamiliar with it. What a blessing to marry a friend! I highly recommend it.

Still, there are concerns. The economy struggles on and this has affected us a lot. (I know that this is true for many of you as well.) I find myself wondering what 2009 holds and what challenges we will face. Grateful I am that God does not reveal everything in advance. Even as I am asking (begging?) for answers, I don't want to know e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g. Enough light for today — enough grace, enough mercy, enough love, enough wisdom, enough with some to spare.

And there are also many joys: A new family to get to know better, grands growing up like weeds, children who delight. And John will become a great-grandfather twice in the new year! (Let's not mention what that will make me as I'm just now used to being a grandmother. :D)

Thank you, Dear Ones, for being a part of my journey here at A Haven and for being the supportive souls that you are. I appreciate and love you more than I can possibly express. I look forward to sharing your journeys in the new year, too.

May your reflections on 2008 be sweet and may 2009 be the best year evah!

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 3:12–14