A year has past since I wrote a post on Thanksgiving.  Much has happened since then, so much so that my perspective for the year is one of Thankfulness. 

A new city where I unexpectedly landed has begun to feel familiar and warm. A new company emerged from the ashes of the old.   New friends and a new church home.   

A lot of new experiences that stretched my faith and grew me as a person.  A lot of opportunities to look to God and be thankful.     My quiet times were meaningful.  What I am most grateful for is to have a God who shows Himself in every situation.  I may not understand the circumstances before me, but I do know He is with me.

 I am thankful to have My Lord as a parent, a friend, and a teacher.  A God who will love me through a difficult year….who will challenged me and grow me and then bless me beyond my own expectations.  A God who is faithful, always faithful.

Time does not stand still. 

When my father became seriously ill last month, the passing of time became more real to me.  Life is not merely fragile, life is short and it  is not simply that of our own….we belong to each other, and we belong to God.

This became evident when I spent 4 weeks  with my father and mother to help with his care. A time I am most thankful for.  I’ve never seen my father so weak and so frail.  He has always been a person who liked the outdoors, time spent hunting or fishing or gardening.  His quiet time could best be described walking across the meadow or through the woods.  And now his time is often spent in a chair looking out the window.  I wonder what he is thinking.   He says he is ready to go on.  I kissed him goodbye when I had to leave, knowing it may be the last time I see him as he is now…. but not forever.

Time goes so quickly; I feel as if I too am growing old.  I am thankful for the days I’ve been given with my family, my friends, myself.  Yes, myself…these times of reflection, these moments where I can look to God and thank Him, when I can  ask….What would you have me do these later days of my life, how would you have me spend them. 

I ponder such questions.

Unfinished dreams, unfinished projects, a hundred things yet to do.  There are people who’s lives can be touched with a thoughtful word or act of kindness all in due time. And that’s just it….time!

 Time…..a time to be thankful…..a time to give…a time to hope….a time to Praise….a time to make a difference…..a time laugh…..a time to be what I am to be…..to others, to God and to me….and that would be a true friend.