This Post Should Be Pithy and Reflective…

…but it won’t be.

I’m not a resolution maker because I never keep them.  And I love success so much that if I know I won’t make it, I don’t even try.  So no deep thoughts there.

I can’t write reflectively about 2012 because I’m just glad it’s over.  Reading through my post about 2011 (which I didn’t even remember writing), we had endured a hard year and I was hopeful for 2012.  Having endured 2012, I have accepted that sometimes we just go through hard times.  It’s not meant to be better.  There might not be a lesson this side of heaven.  And the rising of the sun on one ‘special’ day does not necessarily illuminate the outlook on the future – and that’s OK.

I could revel in all I’ve learned in 2012 – but it’s just a re-hashing of things I should already know, have learned ‘again’, or lessons I learned in one day…only to forget, or ignore, in the next.

Much like 2011, I look back at 2012 and hope I haven’t missed the hand of God at work for straining so hard to get through 2012.  But if I have, I know He has a really big hand.

So for all the things this post should contain, all it really holds is gratitude.

I’m thankful for the many encouraging people God has placed in our paths.

I’m thankful that many of those people have been used to make our financial rope more elastic.  We wouldn’t have survived this year without their intercession.

I’m thankful for a family that believes I am the best…especially when I know the truth.

I’m thankful that God sees me worthy of trial – though I am not always appreciative.

I’m thankful for the folks who have reminded me this year that God has used me – especially during the days where I felt hopeless and expendable.

I’m thankful for the future, though I know not what it holds.  When I get there, I pray I am as thankful as I am this morning.

For my next round of student families, wherever you are, I am thankful for you – and looking forward to the day when we get to meet!

And I’m thankful that You hold me, Jesus – especially on the days when I feel like I’m falling….

2013 – let it commence.

 

11 Things I Never Thought I’d Say That I Said in 2011

Yes – I know it’s 2012 and everyone is more committed and disciplined than I because they’re all posting 12 things about 2012.  Sorry.  I’m really just now wrapping my brain around the new year!

Stick a fork in 2011 – it’s done.  And thank the Lord!!  Here are 11 things that I said (or thought loudly) in 2011 that I never dreamed would be passing through these hallowed lips.

11 – Preaching’s not so bad.  (WHAT??!!  I HATE PREACHING!)

10 – Isaac, do you have your license with you?  (WHAT??!!  I HAVE A 16 YEAR OLD SON!)

9 – Sure, I’ll be the pastor.  (WHAT??!!  SEE #11!)

8 – I can’t.  I have a book deadline.  (WHAT??!!  I’M WRITING A BOOK – AND NOT JUST AS A HOBBY!)

7 – Timmy, come here and add this for me.  (WHAT??!!  HOW DID I PRODUCE A MATH GENIUS?)

6 – Just let it happen.  (WHAT??!!  I SHOULD BE IN CONTROL!)

5 – We’re life-changing radio – 91.7, KBNJ.  (WHAT??!!  I LOVE DJ-ING!)

4 – Praying for you, buddy.  (WHAT??!!  HOW MANY HURTING YOUTH WORKERS CAN THERE BE, LORD?)

3 – Max, will you make dinner tonight?  (WHAT??!!  HOW DOES MY 10 YEAR OLD COOK BETTER THAN ME?)

2 – Katie, you’ve had more blog views in one day than I’ve had…ever!  (WHAT??!! SHE’S FREAKING AMAZING – THAT’S WHAT!)

1 – God is good.  (Nope – I knew I’d say that….because He is, even when life is a struggle.)

 

It’s no massive secret that I have been counting down the days until I could plunge a long butcher knife deep into the beating heart of 2011.  I hope I didn’t miss anything God had for me by looking so hard for the end.  Tis true – I’m glad 2011 is over.  But I am grateful for all that God has taught me this year.  I’m humbled that He has tasked me with some things I never thought I could (or would) do.  I’m looking forward to 2012 – and not because I want it to be ‘better’ than 2011 (even though I am not-so-secretly hoping it will be).  I anticipate this new year because I believe 2011 was merely God’s preparation for things to come.  And I embrace its arrival….