Taking Inventory

It's that time of year again. Time to take inventory. As the year winds down, people focus individually and corporately on their stock. How much, how little, what do we need to get, what do we need to lose, what do we wish to resolve, change, add, get rid of. 2012. To borrow from Dickens, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." To begin the year, the most amazing event happened to us in 25 years. At 3:31 a.m. on January 18, the most beautiful and amazing little girl came into this world. She was absolutely perfect.My granddaughter. She had perfect skin, dark hair and big eyes. She was so sweet and wonderful. We were so blessed to meet her as she entered the world. We have been so blessed to get to see her frequently and visit her, and have her visit us. My granddaughter, the best thing of 2012. Another exciting event was the engagement of our second born daughter in the fall of 2012. Any engagement is exciting, and this one was no exception. It opens a whole new chapter in our daughters' life as she began a new job in a new place with a new man at her side. We were all able to spend holidays together, take a vacation together and take many happy photos together. Spending time together as a family, it was the best of times. Seven months into the year without any hint or warning, I was let go of my job at a church after serving 19 years. I not only lost my earning, but I lost my joy at working side by side with my husband. I lost my church family. I lost it due to the corruption of some men. I could tell you many corrupt and unethical things about these people, but it is enough to know my heavenly Father sees it all, and remembers it all. So, after five months of job hunting to no avail, it is time for me to take inventory. What do I have? I have hope. Hope is a powerful tool. Every day that I wake up, there are new opportunities and possibilities. Every time I see my family, I feel hope. Every time I utter a prayer, it is uttered with hope. I have family. My husband, daughters, sisters, sisters-in-law, sons-in-law, and of course, beautiful granddaughter give me hope that something strong and wonderful exists in this world. I have friends. Friends who write me, call me, send me cards, emails, texts and words of encouragement. Some bring gifts, some invite me to events. I am always amazed and touched at the kindness of (some) people. I don't feel cut off or abandoned because of the words of these friends that lift me up, encourage and inspire me. I have love. With every heartbeat, and I think maybe even after that, I have a strong, passionate love that no one can take away. When I take inventory of all that I have gained and all that I have lost, I know that I have things no one can ever take away from me. Many things perish but love never fails. I hope the coming year holds great promise for you, as it does for all of us.