I Believe

As we end this year and begin a new, I look back at all that I have gone through during the year of 2011. When most look at this year, if they were in my shoes, they would see all that has happened and be glad to see it go, hoping to never visit a year like it again. I, though happy to see it end, see this past year as a year of learning and strengthening.

Today, I spent most of my day with my beautiful wife, Kim, and my wonderfully bright son, Miles. We slept in this morning, got up, and drove up to the Wichita Mountains for the afternoon. We ate at Meer's, where I had half of a full pound burger that I split with Kim. We drove to the Holy City while there, a place where Kim and I spent time together long before we were married... kind of holds a special place in our hearts. There, we walked Miles through each rock building and structure; much like Kim and I did shortly after we met. He laughed, bounced(of course) and sang Hallelujah(his favorite word). If he only knew how fitting his words were as we crossed where the manger lay, with the cross standing in the distance. We spotted an elk as he ran across the rocks, headed up a distant hill; then pointed out buffalo to Miles as we drove out of the city. We drove up Mount Scott and realized, once at the top, that the wind was blowing much harder than anticipated and we drove back down to make our journey home.

I spent a lot of time thinking as I drove us home, how blessed I am. How the mercies of God have been extended to me so many times this year, even when I knew there should be no more mercy given. I thought about how things could be so different today, had I not stood up this year. Had I not have accepted my wrongs and then made an effort to be the man I'm suppose to be; I'd be in a much scarier position today. I thank God for waking me up and changing me this year. 2011 will be a year I'll never forget and a year I'll be forever grateful for the experiences.

The year is over and the dawning of a new year is upon us. There will be many changes this year, as last; and there will be many ups and downs this year, as last; but I know now, from experience, if I will let God lead instead of making my ridiculously feeble attempts at it; there is no telling what will happen at 2013's dawn and what great things I will look back upon and count as achievements in 2012.

I believe.