Good-Bye 2009, Hello 2010

"I can do all things through Christ, because he gives me strength." Philippians 4:13

When people ask me, was 2009 a good year or a bad year for you? I pause for a moment to think about how I want to answer that. I look back at where I was a year ago on the eve of 2009 and I was a very scared man.

I was about to lose my job, there were no immediate opportunities and the doom and gloom being broadcast on the news was that it was only going to get worse. And at the time, I thought I could do it all by myself that I didn't need anything or anybody to help me overcome this problem. I was afraid!!

I was disconnected with my family, my wife, my two sons and my parents. I never spoke to my sister. I was alone.

But then something happened. I started to pray to God. I needed help and he was the only one I could turn to. In late January, I was attending a Between Jobs Ministry meeting and I heard the following verse.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to GOD. And the peace of GOD which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Phillippians 4:6-7

From that moment on, my life changed. I came back to Jesus!! I turned everything over to him. The guilt and anguish was washed away. Hope came back into my life. And yes even though money was tight, we still managed to pay our bills and put food on the table. He provided for my family and took care of us. All I had to do was Love him and try and become a better man.

So the story of 2009 is this; God got me back on the road to him. He helped me see that the most important things in life are not how much money I make or possessing the latest and greatest gadgets. No, I realized that the most important thing in Life is my family and that I am here on this earth to Love people and spread the Good News about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

And yes there are still things in my life that make me nervous about 2010, but I also know this.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

So if you ask me if 2009 was a good year and my answer is YES, because I have one thing back that I had not had for a long time, HOPE..

Happy New Year!!

Rich