Taking Inventory

Everywhere you look, from newspaper artricles to television specials, you see the lists that always show up this time of year. You know the lists I mean: The Best of 2008; The Worst of 2008; The Weirdest of 2008, etc. I get so tired of them, and refuse to read or view them. But I have to admit that making a list at the end of the year isn't such a bad idea.

I think I will make my own list tomorrow, on New Year's Day. I want to remind myself of the good things from the past year, things given to me so lovingly by my Heavenly Father. Not all of those things would be considered good by many people, but they ultimately work for good in my life.

It's good to take inventory. Count your blessings. Count it pure joy. (James 1:2-4) Count yourselves dead to sin. (Romans 6:11) Count God's thoughts. (Psalm 139:17-18) Count all things loss, for the sake of Christ. (Philippians 3:7-11)

There is little optimism for the new year from the talking heads on television news programs. But, God has not changed. He has things under control. And we, as His children, will see that as we look into His Word, and we can rejoice no matter what is going on around us. Let's enjoy life in this new year. Laugh with others and at ourselves. Look for the good things. Have a tea party.

Happy New Year, friends.

Merry Christmas???

Today is Christmas. Traditionally, we go to our daughter's house about 8 AM and open gifts together while sipping coffee or hot chocolate and munching on sweet rolls. But this year is anything but traditional. The above picture, taken when we were decorating my tree this year, has healthy kids hamming it up for the camera. Today is a different day!

A "bug" has invaded Todd and Tracee's house, and they are in various stages of illness: just getting over it, completely sick, or just coming down with it. YIKES! It's a major germ house. We tried to decide how to spend Christmas together without spreading The Yukkies to everyone in the family, and there isn't a good solution.

So, we watched via webcam as the kids opened the gifts that were under their tree. Later, we will take our gifts for them outside and have an open-air gift exchange, possibly reducing the chance of contamination as they open them. (Yes, we can do that, because it is once again hot in Florida for Christmas. In fact, we are using the air conditioner today.) Our Christmas dinner will probably be postponed until Saturday.

Is this disappointing? Yes, because we had planned for this day and always have so much fun together. But, I think of all the men and women serving in the armed forces who are separated from their families. They are willingly sacrificing time with those they love in order to help protect us. And there are many who can't share Christmas with their families because they have answered the call to missions and are sharing the story of Jesus in another country. Some can't go home for Christmas because of financial struggles, or illness, or other challenges. Others have lost loved ones this past year, and don't feel like celebrating at all.

This interruption of our Christmas plans is truly small. We will work it out. I'm so thankful for how God has blessed our family, and changing our plans is not a biggie.

Merry Christmas, everyone, and a blessed New Year.