The Best and Worst of Times *

You crown the year with Your goodness, And Your paths drip with abundance.
Psalm 65:11 NKJV

The reviews are mixed in my little corner of the world with regard to the end of the year and start of a new one. For me personally, it feels defined by the famous Dickens quote, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..."

The deaths of several dear loved ones; the births of more - Abby, Lucas, Elisha, Olivia, Judah, Greyson, and Boo.  Several beautiful weddings, including my daughter's. A couple tragic divorces (I think all divorces are tragic!) Betrayals... they are so ugly and painful, but God provided overwhelming outpourings of love and support through His people. I've spent eleven months of the year helping to battle devastating health issues with friends and family and seven of those months overcoming serious personal health issues of my own. And yet, at the end of this year, the bad is eclipsed by God's crowning this year with His goodness and causing His paths to drip with His abundance in my life. 

If you knew all the details of my life, you might ask how the bad could fade into the background. Well, you see, God knows the deepest desires of this mother's heart and He has fulfilled them this year. Both of my children (now grown and married with lives of their own) have moved back to my part of the country and are within 10 minutes of me. This Christmas, I had all my children and all my grandchildren in one part of the country - my part. It's only taken 20 years overall, but my God is faithful, proving once again that His ways are not my ways. His thoughts are far above my thoughts. 

Through it all, He is faithful - He causes ALL things to work together for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose - in the best of times and in the worst of times. Praise His Holy Name!

Prayer:

Father, 
         You crown the year with Your goodness, and Your paths drip with abundance. And we are so grateful! Help us to keep our eyes and our hearts focused on You and Your purpose for our lives. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.