Happy New Year! I hope yours is starting out better than mine. A few days ago, I was ready to throw the “happy” out of New Year. There was nothing happy about it. My husband and I are both sick. He has an upper respiratory infection. I have a sinus infection. On top of that, our New Year’s Eve plans were changed due to rain. Usually, we would have stood in the rain to watch the guitar drop here in Music City, but since we were sick, we went home. It wasn’t too bad. Our good friends, Timm, Sue and their son Reed, joined us at home along with my parents. I had purchased hats and horns to celebrate when the clock struck midnight. However, when 12:00 came, I felt more like crying than cheering in the New Year.
My daughter and Hitomi decided to embark on a New Year’s Eve party instead of ringing in the New Year with us. I can’t blame them. I remember what it was like at eighteen. I’d rather be with my friends, too.
We played our role as parents well. “Wear your seatbelts and go extra slow.” We warned. “Call us when you arrive and leave shortly after midnight.” There. We had done our jobs to protect the two girls as best we could. …or so we thought.
About three minutes after later, Hito returned through the backdoor with bad news. “Peyton hit Grandfather’s car in the driveway and she’s crying.” “What?!” I shouted as I jumped up and headed out into the rain to investigate the situation.
Yep. It was bad. Real bad. I’d say about $4000 dollars bad. Not to mention what this will do to Peyton’s insurance.
Peyton was fine; just shook up over the incident. Her dad was worse. He could hardly speak. Grandfather Rocky took it better than any of us. We comforted Peyton by sharing our own stories of mishap. While the stories brought relief to all of us, I still had to look hard for the “happy” in New Year.
Maybe you are in the same boat. Perhaps it’s not been a great year for you and 2011 doesn’t hold much promise either. I feel your pain. On the other hand, if I think hard I can recall some good, maybe even great moments that occurred this past year. For example, we’ve had two new additions added to our family. And babies always bring great joy. Plus, we’ve had the privilege of hosting Hito from Japan. She has been a huge blessing. Parker tied a thirty year old batting record at the World Series. We can see God moving in Mitch’s life, and Peyton has grown tremendously in confidence toward her God-given purpose in life. Pat still has a job, and God continues to grow my personal ministry. That’s all good stuff!
Now, that I’ve recounted the good things of 2010, I find it wasn’t as bad as I thought. In fact, I’m feeling rather “happy” about the past and the future. How about you?
What are some good things that happened this past year. What has God taught you in the bad? What are you looking forward to in 2011?
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