Well, friends..it's that time of year...the time when one year is coming to an end and a new year is just around the corner.
For me, it's also a time of reflection. I look back on 2014 with great sadness. I consider this year The Year of Loss.
It's the year that I lost my Dad. It's been the hardest thing I have ever gone through, not only because of how much I grieve for him, but mostly because of how hard his passing has been on my Mom. I feel as if I lost part of her, too, when Dad passed away...that part of her went with him. And after 60+ years of marriage, I guess part of her left when he did.
It's the year that I lost friends, dear friends...or so I thought. Not in the physical sense. I mean lost them as in... they simply weren't there when I needed them most and haven't bothered to keep in touch since then.
However, the Lord was so good in the midst of it all. The bright spot of the year was that our firstborn daughter and her family moved only 20 minutes away from us, while they had previously lived a 8-hour drive away. We get to see them so much more now! :)
Adding up all the difficult things (and believe me, there are so many more things I could list) that happened this year, I can say without a doubt that it was the hardest year of my life. And I couldn't be happier - or more relieved - to say good-bye (or good riddance!) to 2014.
I know the Lord has a reason for it all, but on this side of eternity, it's hard to understand. I am hoping that it will all be made plain when I get Home.
Philippians 3:13 tells us that we should be "forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead."
That's one Scripture verse I will gladly obey. ;)
May the Lord bless you beyond measure in the coming year.
P.S. To kick off the new year, I am announcing a Flexi giveaway on New Year's Eve. Stay tuned! :)
Dear Lisa,
ReplyDeleteIt's hard losing loved ones and hard losing friends too. I can relate to both.. Time is a healer. Philippians 3:13 is good to hold on to and to remember that God is in control and He knows what He's doing. :-) I'm so glad He's always with me to see me through it all.
God bless you in the New Year!
Hugs,
Anne♥
Thank you, dear Anne. And His richest blessings to you in the New Year!
ReplyDeleteI understand what it's like to say good riddance to a year. Hardest one of mine as well. I am hoping and praying for progress on some anxiety disorders and other things. God doesn't let us lose hope for long. Praying he brings joy and peace to your days, sweet friend. I am so sorry about your loss and your mom's. Praise God she is close and you can be there for each other.
ReplyDeleteYes - I praise Him that Mom is close to her family, and we can lean on one another.
DeleteContinuing to remember you and yours before the throne of grace, dear friend...that 2015 will be a much easier year for you, as well.
Much love!
Our Lord is so good. He has a way of weeding out anything and anyone that He knows will not bring joy to our lives.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry about your dad. I am sorry that you see this year as the year of loss. But after reading your words, I see it as a year where you have grown more and more in what He wants you to be.
Peace to you my sweet friend. And I do consider you one. Even though we many never meet in real life, we share a common bond...the love we have for Our Lord!
mari
Your visits are a comfort to me, Mari. Thank you for the encouraging words. I guess I have grown this year, but the growth came very hard.
DeleteWe will meet in our heavenly Home one day....until then, may His blessings be abundant to you in the New Year. :)
And I need to add your new blog to my sidebar! What's the URL?
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