It's amazing how fast this year has gone by. As the months are folding up like pieces of paper in front of my eyes, I see more clearly that this one birthday is going to be something entirely different from all the other birthdays I've had before. As I sit back and look around me on those cool, summer evenings with dusk bringing in the dew, all of us gathered in the living room watching The Walton's, a bowl of ice cream in my hand, I thank God for all of the blessings He has given me and my family. Then I realize how very often I don't take the time to thank Him for all that He has done in our lives.
There are moments where I feel so grateful and overwhelmed; even on those rides in the old truck, the windows down, the classical music cranked up, smiles on everyone's faces as we roll down the freeway... Even if it is a ride to the dump, it will still be a fond memory to me.
And there are those moments spent watching the sunset, listening to the rain, hail, thunder and lightning with all the lights out, my little brother getting all giddy with every streak of lightning...
Yep, I cannot be more glad right now with my life. Why, because everything is "just fine?" No, not everything is picture-perfect in my life right now-- there are also those moments of hurt and frustration, but it is through those hard times that help me see the good times.
As I read God's Word late into the night, so caught up in every word I just can't pull away until my eyes begin to droop, there is a peaceful knowing--not a feeling--in my soul that God will never forsake me.
And as the next three months fold up, and fear of the unknown future ahead of me begins, I keep grounded on not only this one verse (below), but every verse of the Bible, keeping firmly on my own two feet, standing for the Word of God and nothing else.
"lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen." Matthew 28:20b, KJV
