2013

2013 is about to become the past--forever. It has been an eventful year for this chubby old bald guy. After I had been taking care of Mom for over four years that ministry ended when the Lord took her Home in late February to a reunion with Pop and the old Chatham church gang. I never imagined that such a ministry of one was part of my future; yet, I loved that the Lord saw fit to use me in such a way. And the Acres that He had given me years before were a perfect fit for the days Mom and I had together. (She loved them as much as I do.) Imagine that--He knew what was coming years before it arrived and had "made arrangements."
And I really believed that once she went Home that I would probably lose the Acres. Especially after I had looked unsuccessfully for work just about everywhere; and in addition, couldn't find anyone willing to refinance the old Homestead. And then, He opened another unseen, unexpected door--back to a ministry of the hundreds. (How did I even make it from February to August? Hadn't even thought of that miracle.) If you had told me last year at this time that I would be back in the classroom torturing students, I would have laughed--loudly. It was not in my plans--remotely. Yet, He opens the door where He needs us (and closes the other doors we're trying to kick down), and puts us to "work" back in the kingdom. I suppose if the school can continue to tolerate me as its resident IDE, I will continue on as long as the Lord gives me the health to do so. (IDE: Idealistic Dinosaur Educator--a rare species that should be extinct, but has at least one survivor still hanging around, hiding out in classrooms.)
And I still have this totally illogical ministry of trying to minister to others that I've known from my high school days til today through technology which I despise. A ministry that came into existence because I was at home all day taking care of Mom. (Blame my sister Chloe and her husband Larry; they gave me the computer.)
I even ended up with a pet through all this "stuff." Well, a new boss.

What lessons have I been taught in 2013?

1. God has a plan. Precious in His sight is the homegoing of one of His kids--even the kids that are 99 years old.
2. And He makes His plan known so that even the dumbest of His children can see what He has for them to do next.
3. You don't have to wait to go to Heaven to bask in God's goodness. He's active right now in your life doing indescribable good things.
4. God can use anything/everything He's given you to do His will. Five acres in the country. A computer even. Who knew?
5. And the greatest lesson of all. Shame on the Christian who does not have an overflowing heart of gratitude toward the Lover of his soul.

Who knows what 2014 will bring? He does. And it will be good--as promised.