Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I met with the Living God as the sun lit up the sky this morning, and it’s the last day that I’ll be meeting with him this year. I sat there in silence for the longest time and I thought back on the year and all that I have to be thankful for, and I see how much living has been packed into this one single year. Another year may have passed by quickly for me, but it sure isn’t closing out as “just another year”. It’s been rough and it’s been rich and it’s been everything in between, and through it all God has lead me “by the right hand”. When I look at it that way, how could I NOT celebrate everything about the chapter I’m closing today? Isn’t that the way you look at the New Year season too?

I’ve had the blessing of welcoming in a new baby to our family this year and I’ve wept as I buried some friends. I’ve celebrated the marriage of one of our own and I’ve mourned the end of another. I’ve met a few new friends along the way and I’ve walked away from a few that desired to pull me down to the pit with them. I’ve used Words to encourage my world every chance I had, and I’ve used Words to speak painful Truths. I’ve shared my Faith in every corner of my life and I’ve felt the pain of judgement because of it. I worked hard to fulfill a few Plans that God had for me and I’ve endured the ridicule that came with it. I worked hard to maintain Peace in my life and I’ve had a few moments of painful controversy. I asked for forgiveness as I became aware of my wrongs against another, and I forgave others for wronging me…even when it wasn’t easy. I’ve edified and praised the work of those around me, and I’ve cried as I’ve heard the criticism spit-out against me and mine. I’ve had the honor of being asked to pray for another and I’ve prayed for others that probably wish I wouldn’t. I’ve had days filled with overwhelming joy and a few consumed by overwhelming sadness and through it ALL; He took me “by the right hand” and He lead me through it and I’ll ALWAYS be Victorious because of it…and THAT’S the reason I celebrate every single second of this year that will soon be behind me. He’s the “Author and Perfecter” of my Faith and He’ll always use the good, the bad and the ugly to Strengthen me for the Journey…IF I let Him take me “by the right hand” and Lead me, that is.

I’m filled with excitement about what the Lord has for me in this coming year and I’ll be doing my part to be sure that I’m ready, willing AND found worthy to do the work of the King. There’s no doubt that I’ll experience pain and loss and a little heartbreak this year, but I’m not worried about any of that stuff because He will take me “by the right hand” and He’ll see me through no matter what. I’m celebrating Victory before I even witness it, and I’m ONLY thinking Good about my future. I’m facing an exciting New Year and although it won’t be any more perfect than any of the others before it; I’ll be ready for whatever comes my way…because of Him. I won’t be worried about my future because He says ” Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own”. Instead I’ll be waking up each new day with anticipation for what He has for me on THAT day…AND I’ll be willing to do His work with gladness through it all.

So long to this imperfect year for this imperfect woman. It was more beautiful than I could ever have imagined. It was rich and it was rough, but I walked with the Living God every step of the way and He lead me “by the right hand” through it all…AND THAT’S how I can find Joy and Peace and Contentment no matter what’s going on in my Life.

How about you?