Life is interesting. Every January I look  at the year ahead and wonder what I will experience as the coming year unfolds. This year has “rocked” me more than any other and yet, I have such a sweet sense of God’s direction amidst challenge and sadness.  We sold a home we loved, lost a precious nephew dramatically, and left the leadership of a ministry we helped establish and loved dearly.

Whew!

Houses, Jobs…………..they matter. However, People matter more.  Much much more.  We said Good – bye to Christopher Ryan Smith this weekend and I am forever changed.  This loss has re-established a “plumb line” for me and I am reminded that the relationships in my life, those God has given me to love and cherish are of utmost importance.

I want to do well in my life, I want to work with a team and make it great. I want to work on tasks and do my very best. I want to use my gifts to the best of my ability. But, at the end of the day; people matter most.

We said Good-bye this weekend.  I look to the year ahead with a fresh filter, a fresh direction, and a fresh resolve.  People matter.  I will make choices based on this truth.

What this requires of me is a heart of forgiveness, a desire for reconciliation wherever possible, working to be unoffendable, and a short list of offenses…………….it is my prayer that the Lord will remind me of this as I walk out the year ahead and strengthen me to respond with this resolve.

We said Good-bye this weekend.  Good-bye.  And I am forever changed.   Christopher, thank  you for helping me to grow; I will see you again my sweet nephew.