Closing 2012

Romans 8:31-32
"31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?"
As the year comes to a close, I run across these verses. I ask myself: What exactly was this year about? I have watched as my friends have gone through seemingly devastating things: death of a child, cancer diagnosis, even jail for some loved ones. I prayed with and for them and am continuing to lift them up in prayer, and I watch as each one has looked to the cross and grown closer to the Lord. Victory! Praise The Lord!
The elections were a blow to us, for sure. To watch some of my children really begin to feel the weight of what they will be dealing with over the years was sad to witness. Though, at least one of our kids is not willing to take this laying down. The above verses say that God is for us, so these distresses in life that are going to keep coming, will work to sanctify us and are part of the sinful world we live in. I like what the Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary assures:

" God having manifested his love in giving his own Son for us, can we think that any thing should turn aside or do away that love? Troubles neither cause nor show any abatement of his love. Whatever believers may be separated from, enough remains. None can take Christ from the believer: none can take the believer from Him; and that is enough. All other hazards signify nothing. Alas, poor sinners! though you abound with the possessions of this world, what vain things are they! Can you say of any of them, Who shall separate us? You may be removed from pleasant dwellings, and friends, and estates. You may even live to see and seek your parting. At last you must part, for you must die. Then farewell, all this world accounts most valuable. And what hast thou left, poor soul, who hast not Christ, but that which thou wouldest gladly part with, and canst not; the condemning guilt of all thy sins! But the soul that is in Christ, when other things are pulled away, cleaves to Christ, and these separations pain him not. Yea, when death comes, that breaks all other unions, even that of the soul and body, it carries the believer's soul into the nearest union with its beloved Lord Jesus, and the full enjoyment of him for ever."

Oh, how I love my savior more and more each day. How much He has taught me this year about trusting Him! I know it has been a rather quiet year for our personal family, here, but I think it has been a building year. By observing those we love have victory in the trenches of life, I believe I have gained a higher threshold of trust that I will be able to draw on sometime in the future. I also have loved loving other people more! To be able to support others in prayer etc. really has been a blessing. So, to each of you that have shared your burdens, thank you.
2 Corinthians 12:9 And He said to me, “ My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."