by Faith St. Clair
I paused last night when I read aloud the date – 2008! Wow! 2008 seems so futuristic, yet here we are, right smack on the path of it! As I look back on 2007 I realize how much I accomplished in one short year. Yes, there were many things I lacked and failed at, but I’d rather focus on what went right. I realize how many wonderful joys, opportunities, friendships, knowledge and trials that await us on a daily basis and I can’t wait to get started on another year of ALL of it – whether that be one of confusion (had plenty of that last year) or one of moving forward (I’ve been revving my engines for a year now) or one of accomplishment (I’m ready to stamp things “done”). I’m hoping for joys that mitigate my sorrows and sorrows that polarize my joys. I’m hoping for new discoveries, renewed friendships, breakthrough relationships, expanded visions and a growing testimony. I’m ready for trials and hope I have the faith and inspiration to grow and learn from them – although I’ve heard it said to be careful what you wish for. All in all, however, I’m ready for 2008! (I think)
We lost some friends this week in a horrible bus accident. My daughter’s basketball teammate was killed along with her Aunt and Grandmother. Another teammate’s brother didn’t survive the crash and her Mother has a broken back and two broken legs. Another friend, a cheerleader, also didn’t survive – so many young journeys have ended, families pained, lives changed. I pray for their year to bring faith enough to allow joy and new life to enter their hearts. I pray for all of us that we may be a light and support and effective in buoying those having to endure such tragedy and if by chance it happens to us…I pray we will have the faith to have peace and the courage to rise again.
Helaman 5:12 -“And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.”
A toast to 2008… “Here’s to not falling, but rising!”
I felt all jazzed up reading your first paragraph about goals. Right on!
ReplyDeleteThen sorrow came with the shift to tragedy. How terrible to even hear on the news about a bus accident, but how much more so to know the passengers. Was your daughter on that bus with her teammates?
I nod in approval and in agreement with your prayer for their faith, our support, and as much alleviation of pain as possible. I echo your words: "I pray we {that means you and all of us} will have the faith to have peace and the courage to rise again." As Helaman says, we do have a sure foundation to build upon.
I raise my glass of juice in support of your toast.
My daughter was not on the bus - a bunch of families from her school and in the valley chartered a bus for a ski trip - tragic return home.
ReplyDeleteI prayed for those families even before I connected to them through you. Can you let them know that people all over the nation are doing just that, are praying for comfort and healing for them?
ReplyDeleteNice post, Faith. Well done.