Reflecting on 2011

Happy New Year! I don't really understand why we celebrate new year.  Last night (well technically this morning) it got to midnight and we all said happy new year to each other and I turned to the person next to me and said 'but it doesn't feel any different!' And it doesn't does it?


But New year is a chance to look back at the last year and reflect on it and think about the year to come and what we might want to change and improve.


I wonder when you think back over 2011 what you think? For some maybe it was a great year but I am sure for all of us there were at least some things that just did not go how we expected/ wanted.


I can say for me at least that 2011 has definitely not been an all round great year.  It has been a year of pain and illness.  A year of uncertainty and fear.  It has had many challenges to overcome and many tears have been shed.  But I can also say that it has been a year of great joy and encouragement.  There have been so many lovely times.  Maybe this year instead of having lovely weeks or days or even hours like some past years, it has been more a case of lovely moments - snapshots of pure joy.  Although it has been a year of struggles and a lot of difficulty for me I can look back and see how much I have been blessed.  


I am sure that 2012 will bring many of the same struggles as 2011, it might be a year of healing for me but it might not and either way that is OK because I know that I have my loving heavenly father doing what is good for me.  There are many times when it is incredibly hard to swallow, trust and accept this, but through prayer I will get there.


There is a vineyard song which has the simple chorus:

        Through the sun, through the rain
        You never change
        You are so worthy, I'll lift Your name
        And no matter  what I'm going through 
        I will praise You

I also love the casting crowns song 'Praise You In This Storm'.  The words are beautiful and I especially love the chorus.  I think the words are very fitting for reflecting back over last year and looking forwards to this new one coming.... 
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side

Happy New Year!  If you only make or keep one resolution, make it be to glorify God more and more each day.