Hello, 2013

Hello, 2013,

Can't believe you are already here! 2012 left so quickly, in fact it passed with a blur.  I guess it's part of growing older...I have reached the "time flies" phase of life.

Highlights of 2012:

• Jay passed the one year mark of his heart bypass surgery. 
• We have two new "grands" - Sydney Faith and William Cary, Jr. "Will" 
• Cary started VERGE Church in September.
• My mom remarried - welcome L.V.
• My brother, Kevin, and son-in-law, Gerry were ordained to ministry

Many other joys and a few heartaches came to us in 2012...I won't go in to all of those. 

If you had told me we would reach 2013 before the Lord returns, I would not have believed it.  I often look at myself in the mirror and think, "how did I get this old?"  There's something about new years that make one look back, not just on the previous year - but also on one's entire life.

I've started a yearly Bible reading plan on my phone - with You Version.  Reading in Genesis - very timely to read the book of beginnings at the beginning of a new year, don't you agree?  It's very familiar, yet I love how the Lord highlights things in a new way.

I am being challenged by the life of Abraham, the friend of God (God's description of him).  What faith he had!  What courage he displayed.  I am amazed at the trust of Isaac, to allow himself to be bound and placed on an altar, to look up towards his loving father with an upraised knife about to take his life.  How can we begin to imagine such a thing? I would love to have God say of me, "I know her and she will do such and such." 

I am more aware of my responsibility and privilege to invest in the lives of my children, my grandchildren, my brothers and sisters in Christ and the lost around me.  I can see my failures in 2012, and I'm praying for a sensitive ear, discernment and perseverance to fully obey this new year.

Hello, 2013.  I am ready for the challenge by God's grace!