Thoughts for the new year (and the old one)

As we are about to turn the page on our calendars and bring 2009 to an end and welcome in 2010, I have been thinking about this last year. As in every year there is some good and bad. A friend of mine who nearly died due to an acute illness has been counting down for several days - looking forward to getting this year over. I know another couple who had their first grandchild - they don't want this "perfect" year to end. For me this year has had more than its share of ups and downs, but a moment and the gift of friends stand out as special ones to both Julie and me. We have some dear friends that found out that he was unexpectedly, (and unfairly, I think) losing his job. He was going to have to relocate to find another job in his field. One day he shared with Julie some verses from his devotions that day.

"I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living. Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!" (Psalm 27:13-14)

The part we all focused on was that we would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living - we don't have to wait until heaven for all of our blessings. We should not lose heart but expect to see the goodness of the Lord. This message from God came at a particularly disheartening time in our lives and we latched onto it.

Even on this last day of the year there remain questions and challenges but I am learning, slowly it seems, but learning in new way to trust in God for every moment of my life. He has sustained me in the past (See post for 11/18/09 for video on this subject: Backing Into the Future) and I know He will do so in the days that lie ahead.


Since these verses have become so precious to us, Julie asked our friend, Sonny, who does wood burning to make a wall plaque (pictured below) for our friends. We made a trip to PA to present it to them in their new home. What I didn't know was that Julie had Sonny make one for me (above) that she hid away for several months and presented to me on Christmas. It is now proudly on display in our family room as a continual reminder to wait upon the Lord and expect to see His goodness in the land of the living.

Happy New Year Everybody,
Jesse Waggoner



The above is the one for our PA friends


Sonny's "Signature"