New Year's Eve Adventures

A lot has been said lately about this decade ending and a new one beginning.  I have seen many of my friends say what a bad decade it's been.  Discussions are going on around all the tragedies and dismay that resulted over the last 10 years.  It can be pretty depressing if you get caught up in all of it.

Personally, I don't see it this way at all.

I recall a country that went from being complacent and self centered to standing together as we mourned the loss of so many on 9/11.  Remember how the fireman and policeman were brought back up to the level of respect they deserved?  Or how strangers began to speak and we were reminded to stop and spend time with family and friends?  As tragic as that time was for our country, there were a lot of good things that came from that time as well.

I saw more monetary wealth than I imagined in my life at the beginning of the decade and by 2005, it was all gone.  For many reasons, but the result is I've found I am richer now in my life than I've ever been.    I've lost many "things" over the lasts 10 years, and I've seen heartache in that time.  But for me, I'm thankful for the experience of the decade and looking forward to a blessed new year.

Speaking of...  I read a blog recently that questioned Bishop TD Jakes motives for making the statement that 2010 will be a prosperous year.  The comments on that blog were attacking to say the least.  This blog was listed on a "christian" blog site.  I have to say here, because I can, that I was completely disappointed in the response to the article.  The article itself was only stating facts and questioning other's thoughts on it.  But the responses were not only judgemental and condeming, but made based on perceptions and none of them had any valid points.  I'm sad that those "christians" were so quick to judge and condemn.  In fact, I'm curious as to who determined that prosperous was only monetary?  And by the way, do we live in the world's economy or God's?  There was also discussion that the economy wasn't that bad anyway.  There was one person who stated that it only meant we had to cancel movie channels and boo hoo if we did.  I'm glad that person is blessed enough that they didn't have to give up more than their movie channels, but it's very naive to think that's all that others had to give up.  I've seen families that became homeless, people who lost homes, cars, jobs, and businesses because of this world's economy.  I don't know a lot about Bishop Jakes personally - but I do know that it's not my place to question his heart.  And I'm thankful for the expectation that this next year will be prosperous and for the blessings my Father has promised me as His child! 

OK...  I feel MUCH better now! 

What are your plans for tonight?  Please be safe!  We are hanging out with 3 grandbabies and two sons tonight.  :-)  Looks like we'll be going to an early movie and then dinner, and home for fun and games.  It's a great way to bring in a New Year and the new decade!  We really have no plans for tomorrow, which is funny becaue we usually have some kind of meal planned with the family.  This holiday we have spent a lot of time just hanging out with the grandbabies.  We play games, the Wii, watch movies, or just play with them.  It's been a nice and relaxing week.  Life is good.

Living the Blessed Life....

Jessica