This time of year . . .

Today was another reminder of the recurring events. I took down the Christmas tree. Since the house is just my husband and I, we only have a 3 foot tree - but it still needs to come down and the furniture rearranged. Every year I struggle - should I even decorate the tree - I just have to take it down again. Yet every year, I do. 

I love Christmas. I love what Christmas represents. I love that Jesus was born in a manger and his birth was announced by angels to outcasts first. I love that he came. I love that every year we pause to remember this. Its not like anyone else's birthday either. 

As we gear up for a new year, many people are very excited about a new year, a fresh start, fulfilling resolutions. I am really going to miss 2012 though. My first and only niece was born this year. My husband and I celebrated 12 years of marital bliss. Everyone in my family is healthy and happy and leading fulfilling lives. I made international friends while on my first ever international trip to Honduras this year. We vacationed with our family in the Outer Banks this year. Celebrated with young people who graduated college and got married. It's been a good year and I'm quite content here. I hope 2013 is just is good but I have my doubts.

My dad used to sing a song in church when I was growing up. I think of that song this time of year. It makes me feel better. The title is "I Know Who Holds Tomorrow". I'm including the lyrics for your perusal. I wish I had a video of Dad singing it to upload - but you'll just have to find that yourself.

I don't know about tomorrow, 

I just live from day to day.

And I don't borrow from its sunshine

'Cause the skies might turn to grey.

And I don't worry about the future,

'Cause I know what Jesus said,

And today I'm gonna walk right beside him

'Cause he's the one who knows what is ahead.

There are things about tomorrow

That I don't seem to understand

But I know who holds tomorrow

And I know who holds my hand.

And each step is getting brighter

As the golden stairs I climb.

And every burden is getting lighter

And all the clouds are silver lined.

And, over there the sun is always shining

And no tears will ever dim the eye

And the ending of the rainbow

Where the mountains, they touch the sky.

There are many things about tomorrow

I don't seem to understand

But I know who holds tomorrow

And I know who holds my hand.

Yes I know who holds my hand.

Yes - I'm unsure about 2013 - but I'm sure about Jesus holding my hand. That's a recurrence that's not annoying at all really.

Why blog?

It seems like everyone has a blog today, except me, so here is my blog. 

Strangely the idea came to me during church today. I was teaching a lesson on Forgiveness after service for my Sunday School class. I am stuck by the idea that forgiveness is a process and that just when you think you have forgiven someone - something happens that causes you to relive all the pain, anguish and frustration of the original situation. 

Just like chin hairs and eyebrows. You think you have them fixed and adjusted the way you want them and then BAM - they're back. And again you pluck, wax, shave or whatever you need to do to get rid of the annoying hairs.

That's what we have to do with forgiveness - keep forgiving. Be quick to forgive.