Words To Be Remembered By

2 Samuel 23:1-7

Yesterday I mentioned that we were in a double celebration week, of sorts. With Thanksgiving in the States right around the corner I spoke about promises we make in being thankful for things we have. Today I want to speak about the other "celebration"; the last Sunday of the Christian year.

For those who don't know, the Christian Calendar begins new on Advent (the fourth Sunday before Christmas) which falls on December 2 this year. In reflection of new things coming, I also want to think of old things past. Well, not really that old, just this past year.

It's been a challenging year for me with 3 jobs (until recently, I left one about a month or so ago) and trying to finish my graduate work. I have at many times been easily irritated and a little short in patience and have taken out my frustrations on people who least deserve it. Add to this a daily calendar filled with so much things I often missed deadlines or forgot them all together.

Chaos for a person with self-diagnosed OCD.

So, as I honestly look back at how my Christian year has gone I will have to say that it's been the most perfect year for me to completely understand how those around me help to keep God alive in everything I do. Last week in Sunday school we talked about what the one thing was that our youth found difficult in their lives right now. One of them said that she struggled with how to put God first in everything she did, living with a checklist, of sorts, having to be sure that God was taken care of before everything else.

She recently came to the realization that she doesn't need to necessarily put God first, as in a checklist, because God is already in everything. That realization brought a sense of freedom to her soul and allowed her to free up her life so that she can now concentrate on the new chapters in her life.

Wonderful words, spoken by an amazing young woman. In her reflection of what this past year has been like for her, and in building her relationship with God, those around her, and herself she has seen that the path she is on will be just fine.

Thank you, God, for moments like that.