At The End Of The Year

On this last day of the year my thoughts always turn to the past. I think of experiences I've had through the years, friends and family who have touched my life along the way, good times, not-so-good times, laughter, tears, blessings beyond my ability to count! When I look back I see the same thing every year - God has been faithful through the years. Every year!

I think back to a little church in a small town in North Central Oregon where my young husband was the pastor. We were newly weds and one of the youngest couples in the church. I remember so clearly the first New Year’s Eve we lived there. The dear people in our church gathered to spend the last hours of the year together. My mind ‘sees’ me playing the piano and I ‘hear’ their voices raised in song. Most of them are gone now – many in Heaven with Jesus; others moved on to other places. The closeness and beauty of that evening with them will live in my memory forever. Common, ordinary people we were. Young and old, farmers and transplants from the city. Loving and praising and serving God together. And loving each other immensely!

Each December thirty-first my mind goes back to the day of New Year’s Eve when I was rushed into surgery. A sudden, acute appendicitis attack changed all of our plans for the evening – and that of the doctor, I’m sure! Our son was just a baby and, as suddenly as the emergency came about, God put all the pieces in place for people to watch our baby and to take care of the details of a New Year’s Eve gathering at our church.

As I think back through the past year I see exactly what I saw way back then: God has been faithful. No matter what! He hasn’t changed! He has held my hand and walked with me through the sunshine and the storm, leading me every step of the way. And each year, on this day, I always remember the song I sang that night in that tiny church all those years ago – and my heart sings it again.

We've come this far by faith
Leaning on the Lord
Trusting in His Holy word
He’s never failed us yet
Oh-h-h-h, can't turn back
We've come this far by faith!

We have come this far by faith. Yes, we have – and we will continue on. As we have lived in the past we will live in the future. By faith!

To each of you, my dear friends: I wish you the best New Year ever – filled with the most amazing blessings from God’s hand to yours – and faith. Faith beyond measure. Faith to keep moving forward through the coming year. Faith in Him Who is Faithful!

Faith makes us sure of what we hope for
and gives us proof of what we cannot see.
Hebrews 11:1

With a grateful heart,

~Adrienne~