I
am making this note my year in review since I have been reflecting during this
7th year since my world was turned upside down when Mike finishing
his race in 2006. I am able to praise and thank God for many things, still.
My
journey has had many ups, downs, twists, turns, hills, valleys, roadblocks and
detours but as I look back I know God has been with me all the way. In
reflection I know that in the brokenness God was healing me from life’s trauma
and some of the toxicity I learned growing up. In the middle of this God provided
people who would take me to church with them and I learned how Jesus loved me.
This foundation is what would carry me through all my years and even now. There
were some very valuable things I learned in my home growing up there were
nurturing, how to care for others, how to work, and the value of education. But
it also gave me a desire to change.
It
was in this brokenness over many years but certainly in the last 7 I learned
how God, “The Potter” reclaims His clay. The clay is soaked in His love,
stirred with His hand, kneaded, wedged and kneaded some more to make a stronger
vessel. On the wheel the clays goes to be shaped by his loving hands into a
vessel of honor and He works with the clay until it submits to His will. I am
thankful for His rebuilding of my life to live in freedom of His love. I am
thankful for His restoration of relationships, of my commitment to Him and in
relationships. I am thankful that He has renewed His vision in me and renewed
in me His salvation from the empty life I could have lived.
God
has blessed me with 3 wonderful children and the good relationships we have. I
am thankful how God is working in their lives as they work out their life. I
have 8, to change to 9 in July. Grandchildren I adore and they are healthy,
bright and loving and they are doing well in school. All of them are learning
of God’s saving grace. I have a fine family.
I
am thankful for my extended family and being able to keep in touch via face
book or the internet. I am rich in friends and can cheer for them as their
lives grow and change, pray for them, or give a word of encouragement.
I
am thankful I can choose when, where, with whom, and how to worship. I am with
a family of God that loves, prays, and reaches out to each other.
I
am thankful God worked out my finances so that I can now live in peace and less
anxiety. I am thankful for food, clothes, and a good place to sleep. I am
thankful that I did not have to move. I am thankful there are bus stops close
by and for people who are willing to give me rides.
I
am thankful for my community that is interested in changing and working with
each other and that is changing itself from the inside out and helping other
neighbors along its way. I am thankful for so many things that a list, a note
or even a book may not be large enough to hold them.
I am so blessed. May each of you experience
the same in the year to come. Trina
Eyes Wide Open by Ted Dekker