Continuing my yearly tradition of looking back over the past year.
1. What were the highlights or accomplishments of the past year?
The highlight of the year was the birth of our granddaughter, Emilia. Another highlight was Jeremy moving back to Manitoba and starting work at a gold mine in Snow Lake.
Reconnecting with old friends through our fundraisers was a highlight…as well as meeting new people. Aside form those there weren’t a lot of highlights this year!
2. What were the major themes of the past year?
Illness seemed to be the theme of the year…covid in January, then Emberley’s leukemia diagnosis in March and continuing treatment, illnesses and hospitalization have taken up the year.
3. What disappointments or regrets did you experience?
No personal regrets, but the whole year has been disappointing….disappointing circumstances, disappointing relationships.
4. What was missing from the past year?
That’s a hard question. I guess I’m missing just having a normal life, one where I don’t have a granddaughter with cancer.
5. What did you learn from the past year?
You learn a lot when you have a crisis in your life. Most important is that with God we can get through anything. Second..life can change in a moment, we have no guarantee of tomorrow, so don’t take anything for granted. Third, you learn a lot about who you can count on and unfortunately, who you can’t. Covid had already revealed the true nature and character of many. But when our granddaughter was diagnosed with Leukemia some of the people I thought would be there to support us, encourage us and just be there to talk….or listen, were nowhere to be found. But at the same time, people I never would have thought of stepped up and stood in that gap…some were old friends, some just acquaintances and many were complete strangers. Until you go through something like this you don’t realize just how much a kind word can help. A phone call, a text message, a face book comment or even just a virtual hug and praying hands mean so much.
I hope I’ve learned to be that kind of person for others as well. I’ve never been good at knowing what to say to someone going through a rough time, but I’ve realized it doesn’t really matter what you say. It’s just taking the time to show that you care that makes all the difference. Years ago I wrote a song that speaks of this very thing.
Words Fitly Spoken
When you see someone that's hurting, do you say,
and do you share their burden, and brighten up their day?
Do you give them some comfort, as the word of God you share,
or do you ease their heartache, by showing that you care?
When we heed the Spirit’s prodding
we’ll never have regrets for the choices we have made.
And we may never know what a few words fitly spoken,
may do to lift the load of one who’s heart is broken.
weighing on your heart,
don’t let the moment pass by; just call or send that card.
You’ll quickly mend some fences when you take that step of faith,
for there’s no wound or chasm too deep for God’s great grace.
When we heed the Spirit’s prodding
we’ll never have regrets for the choices we have made.
And we may never know what a few words fitly spoken,
may do to lift the load of one who’s heart is broken.
don’t push that thought aside; don’t say I’ll waste my time.
A friendly hand extended may just help someone in need,
so kindle an old friendship, and allow the Lord to lead.
When we heed the Spirit’s prodding
we’ll never have regrets for the choices we have made.
And we may never know what a few words fitly spoken,
may do to lift the load of one who’s heart is broken.
Galatians 6:2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Philippians 2:1,2 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
Proverbs 25:11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
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