Musings of a Thankful Heart

Let's be honest:

2009 sucked.  For me, personally.

Between family emergencies, sicknesses, personal failures, almost deaths, and many other hard, hard situations, a year ago I was ready for a new beginning, a fresh start.

Thank goodness for a new year just in time.

This past year, especially at Thanksgiving I was thinking over the faithfulness of God.  The year 2010 was one of new beginnings, new perspectives, and new life.  Among other things this year I was able to experience:
*Being married to my wonderful husband.
*Going on a honeymoon (a little piece of heaven)
*Traveling across the US (Wisconsin, Washington DC, North Carolina, and various other places)
*The birth of my beautiful, sweet son Jackson
*My sister Lindsay's wedding
*My sister Rachael graduating from nursing school
*Reconnecting with old family, connecting with new
*And other blessings to numerous to count

Don't get me wrong.  This year has not been a total cakewalk.  I think any mother that has walked the floors with her crying infant, trying not to cry along with him can testify to that.  However, I have seen God's grace in the midst of this year.  It could have turned out so differently.

The past two years I have not only learned about mercy and grace, I've lived them.

One of my favorite definitions of mercy and grace is: God's mercy is not getting you what you deserve.  Grace is God giving you more than you deserve.

I feel like 2009 I experienced God's mercy.  2010 was a year of experiencing God's grace.

As you reflect on this past year and look toward the next I want you to be encouraged by the reality of God's grace and mercy.  This past year may have been a great one for you financially, relationally, emotionally, etc.  It may have been a year that you wish you could forget.  However, the truth is that God's mercies are not only new on a yearly basis, they are new every morning.

So it's easy to take stock of a year and look forward to next year, but remember life happens one day at a time.


Lamentations 3:22-23
 Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.