Reflections on 2008

It’s probably a bit early to be mentally wrapping up the year, but none-the-less, that is where I’ve been this week.  I have to say that I did not particularly enjoy 2008.  It was a very difficult year in so many ways.  There was death, illness, money issues, depression, and going back to work full time for the first time in 6 years.   It’s been hard!  But yet, I can also see God’s hand in all of it.  I can see the mercy and grace at the center covering everything.  Sometimes, we just need to walk through difficult stuff.  I have come to realize that it is in the difficult times that we see personal growth.  Somehow God always uses the bad to teach us things we never would have learned otherwise (or maybe we would but it would just take a much longer time).  I feel like I have learned a lot this year.  It hasn’t all been bad.  There were many wonderful things about this year as well.  I have found myself to be in a place of Thankfulness that I haven’t seen in a while.  I have so much to be grateful for.  The money issues are resolving (God is so faithful), the depression taught me a lot about who I am and how I relate to others, and going back to work full time, although incredibly difficult mentally was a great thing.  God blessed me with a wonderful job which I am so grateful for.  My children are growing into amazing people.  I love my husband more today than I did 15 years ago when we began dating.  I have an amazing family who I love and good friends.  So, life it still good – sometimes hard, but good.  I’m ready to take on 2009 and whatever it brings with it.

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