Looking Ahead- 2009 Challenge

The year 2008 will be over in approximately 3 days and 8 1/2 hours. I could break that down into seconds if I really wanted to, but for now let's leave it at that! Looking back is what news stations, newspapers and radio programs will be doing in the next few days. In reflection, 2008 has been a bit of a rocky ride for many! Financially most people are not as secure as they were last year at this time and many jobs,homes and families have been rocked by circumstances beyond their control. Statistics show financial security is at a 30 year low and hope is at a premium as we prepare to enter a new year. We look back to learn from the past just as we look ahead to anticipate the future. Both ends of the spectrum hold food for thought..but what we really have is today. There is no guarantee of what our future holds but we do have this moment, a precious gift that is our today. It is like a gold coin in our pocket. Unspent and full of promise. Value yet untapped. That is our year ahead. 365 days of unspent and untapped promise. The world really doesn't change when the page on the calendar is turned. But, we somehow sense- a new opportunity to begin again and I am always thankful for a new opportunity- a new start- how about you? What are your plans for the new year? This year I feel impressed to choose a word for the coming year. A word that represents what I sense the Lord is placing in my heart for the next 365 days. My word for the year is strength. Strength in my physical body, my spirit, my family and my creative self. There God. My word. It's out there. Show me. Teach me.Grow me. Keep me...close to you- because I know before I even start that you have to be my source of strength... without you I am stuck... lost.... already! Strength. (I want to start out just letting you know God... if strength is my word... then it has to be your word too. I can't be strong with out you. So ...you and I we are in this together....ok?? ) So, friend,.... How about we do this together.... word for the year? What is yours? After all, a journey is almost always better together. I'll listen if you want- after all you know ,my word.... so....it's only fair I know yours...! Or....find a friend to keep you focused, and offer to so the same for them! Ask God... to show you - to give YOU a word for the next 365 days....I am believing for great things in my life- and in yours!

hugs from henry

Henry Ditmar was a young man, 17 years old who gave hugs....unselfishly, without abandon. He had a smile that would light up a room. He was real, genuine and special. I met Henry a few years ago when he served as a greeter at my church. Many Sundays he would stand at the door, smiling - always with a hug. If he wasn't on duty on a given week- he would come looking for me- to give me a hug. His hugs made my day. He attended the same school as my son and I would often see him at cross country meets, cheering on his sister as she ran.... and always when I would see him- he would seek me out- and give me a "Henry Hug". He went looking for me when he got his driver's license- we gave each other a high five... for it was a moment to celebrate! We talked about his job searches, school- just small talk really. But, when I walked away from Henry, he had left a smile on my heart for the rest of the day!! He had a way about him that was amazing. I know I was not the only person he shared his hugs with, for that is just who he was. He touched my life, and so many others, in many many ways. With every life he touched, he left a little of Jesus behind. For that is who Henry was... Today the hearts of his family are shattered, his smile and joy of life along with his hugs are silenced. For just two days ago, he was killed in a tragic car accident on an icy road near his home. Henry gave his last hug here on earth... but now it is up to each of us to keep his hugs alive- touching, reaching, loving unconditionally- leaving a little of Jesus behind with every word, every smile and every kindness.-for that is what Henry did. His legacy lives on in those that he reached, in a life seemingly too short- today, I will hug someone, for Henry. I will tell those that I love that I do. I will tell them they are special, because they are. I will hug them, because they matter. (Thank you Henry, for being Jesus with skin on to me..and to so many others!!)