At the beginning of a new year, we tend to look at the past and think of the negative, think of the reasons why we're glad it's over.  Writing in my journal this morning, that's exactly what I did.  I mean, why wouldn't I?  My sister's life dangled by a thread for months, I spent weeks sleeping on a couch in a hospital.  I listened to family members of other patients tell their own horrific stories.  I saw people grieve over loved ones lost.

But was it really horrible?  Well, yes.  But look at Jodi now.  She is better than ever with a renewed faith and a miracle to call her own.  So many people came and prayed for her.  So many people who hadn't prayed in a long time.  People who were non-believers became believers - they witnessed God moving mountains.  Perhaps this was the plan all along?  I am reminded of the biblical story of Esther.  King Xerxes, her husband, was going to kill all the Jews in the land (Esther was Jewish but the King didn't know it).  Esther's cousin Mordecai asked her to talk to her husband and convince him not to do it.  She was afraid that by doing so, she herself would be killed.  Then Mordecai said, "Who knows if perhaps you were made Queen for such a time as this?"  Esther 4:14

Who knows why things happen? I don't.  But I do know this.  My sister is alive and thriving.  She is back to work, she is telling her story and God is being glorified. Looking back on the year, I am reminded of the blessings God promised us and I am grateful.  In 2019 I plan to complain less, look to Heaven more and tell people each and every day, how much I love them.  

For those of you who don't know the end of Esther's story, she did go talk to the King and the Jews were saved.  Turns out, she was exactly where God wanted her.  She saved her people...., just saying...  Have a Happy and Blessed New Year my friends.