I'm still smiling....

 

Here we are. -- Dec. 31, 2011.   I've been reading alot of tweets, posts, and blogs about how so many are glad to be saying "good-bye" to 2011.  Everyone's ready for a fresh start with 2012.  I guess it's easy to look back and think of the difficult times and be glad for the calendar to change over and put the past behind us.  2011 definitely brought some trials, sad moments, and difficult times, but when I look back on the pictures I took, I realize I was smiling ALOT.  It reminds me that I have OH so much to be grateful for. 

I have a loving family.  Supportive friends.  A roof over my head, food on the table, happy pets, vehicles that take me places so I don't have to walk everywhere.   I may have a few wrinkles on my face, but I also have some wisdom that comes along with those wrinkles.  I may be fighting the battle of the "bulge", but I'm not fighting cancer or some other disease that greatly affects my health.   I have three beautiful kids that I adore.  I have an amazing husband who loves me with a passion that I have never known.  And I have my God.  A God who shows mercy and grace to me as I fall on my face over and over again.  A God who never abandons me and sets me straight each time I get off course.  A God who's so BIG that I feel terribly small most days, yet incredibly safe in my smallness.   I feel protected and loved.  Who could ask for more than that?  I am blessed.

Will 2012 be better than 2011?  Maybe.  Maybe not.  But either way, I know I will be ok.  I am surrounded by people who will help me through whatever comes my way.  I have a God who has promised to never leave me and I believe that promise.  

Hebrews 13:5 - "For God has said, 'I will never leave you; I will never abandon you."

See?  Told ya!  There it is in BOLD.   If you are questioning that promise right now, it's ok.  If there wasn't doubt, there wouldn't be faith.  You can doubt all you want, and still God will be there.  It's who He is.  He doesn't promise that things will always be beautiful and smooth.  Life is rocky and that will never change.  But He WILL be right by your side, holding you tight during the hard times.   I encourage you to turn all your troubles over to Him.  Today.  Enter 2012 with HELP.  God's help.  I promise, you will find true peace and comfort when you rest in Him.  

HE is why, through all the struggles of 2011, when I look back on those pictures... I'm still smiling.

May you all have a lovely and safe New Year's Eve celebration tonight.  See you in 2012!!  

Here we go.....