Dec 08
31
Goodbye, 2008
Posted by Stephen31
Tags: difficulties, faith, joy, memories, New Year, sorrow
It has been quite a year. 2008 was the year Debbie & I got very little sleep because Micah (pictured here) was prone to cry all night. Things weren’t too rosy from Micah’s side of the fence either. He probably managed a total of two months out of the year in perfect health. The rest of the time he suffered colds and fevers and vomiting and diarrhea, sometimes all at the same time. But he’s a stoic wee chap, the cutest, happiest, snuggly-est toddler when he isn’t ill. Which isn’t often, as you may have gathered.
2008 was the year work went from boom to bust, where a phone call on a Monday morning in September cut our workforce down to a third and cleared our production schedule for the indefinite future. I had spent the summer miserable at the political jostling in a very busy, turbulent office, wishing I didn’t work there. Then I spent the fall terrified I’d be laid off, out of a job.
Life swings between highs and lows, and 2008 was no exception. It just seemed that the lows were excessively low and drawn out.
On the other hand, 2008 was also the year Daniel started school. Despite our initial concerns kindergarten has been hugely successful for Daniel. Or is it the other way around? Anyway, he has a wonderful teacher who’s a Christian, he has made friends easily, gets along well in the classroom, and overall really enjoys the experience.
In 2008 we learned (once again) how God is faithful and cares for us in uncertain times, providing for us despite the global economic implosion. Debbie and I grew closer together in the midst of family difficulties, relying more on each other. We were blessed by people in our church and by our neighbours reaching out to encourage us and help us up. I received half a dozen photography commissions, all successful, all educational, all fun. Some of them were actually profitable.
I’m not sure how to approach 2009. I’m not exactly looking forward to what the new year will bring. Analysts say the economy will steadily get worse before things start to improve around 2011. There’s uncertainty, fear of the future. But throughout the new year the boys will grow older, will learn, gain new experiences. It makes me feel old, to embody my hope for the future in my children. Which reminds me, I turn forty in 2009. Yep. Definitely old.
I pray that me and you, the reader, will learn what it means to trust God daily throughout 2009, and that by doing so we will grow closer to Him, to obey Him, to love Him. Happy New Year, and God bless you and your loved ones.
