It’s that time of year when people reflect. And renew. One year is ending and another is beginning.
Like everyone, I’ll admit that there have been those years I was very happy to see come to an end. In those seasons of life, there’s something about seeing a new year come in that brings hope for brighter days ahead. We tell ourselves that surely things will be better. They just have to be.

While 2014 was a very eventful year for the Reeves, it was also a great one! Since I like change, I am always ready for a new year. But looking back this year doesn’t bring with it regret or sadness or eagerness for it to end. In fact, it brings lots of smiles. It would take way too many words for a single post to recreate what I’ve experienced and felt this year. In a nutshell, it’s this: Surely His goodness and faithfulness pursues me all the days of my life! (Psalm 23:6)

My 51st year of life (since my birthday is in December, every new calendar year is also the beginning of a new year for me personally) began with three special little boys teaching me how to truly love. It ended with me gaining a new son (in-love) on a beautiful, magical wedding day. In between was the US homecoming of our Indo kids, an extended family vacation at a wonderful resort, welcoming our first grandson into the world, and seeing God’s provision as we were finally able to purchase a home in Rapid City.

Yes, it has been easy to find ways to be thankful this year. As of today … All.Is.Well.
This year my favorite Christmas song was that duet sung by Carrie Underwood and Michael W Smith. Maybe because of the joy in my heart this year as far-away family and friends came near, or that I have been able to cuddle a sweet little baby boy, or maybe it was that joyous wedding celebration. Oh, how I do give thanks for all of these good things!

And yet, as I sit here this morning, I must pause and ponder and pray. My prayer is that my gratitude would be genuinely directed toward the Giver, not just these wonderful gifts. The bible is clear that all the things we receive from our Father’s hand are good. ALL of them. ((Rom 8:28, Jam 1:17 Pm 84:11-12, Pm 85:10-12) The reason I’m able to consider all things good is because I have a GOOD Abba. Someone told me once that there is something God can’t do. He can’t NOT BE GOOD.

So if next year I’m still here, reflecting and renewing, I pray that it will still be, that it will always be, about God’s goodness and faithfulness. I pray that my heart song will continue to be “All is Well”. Not because life is going just as planned, but because God is always good. May I say with the late HG Spafford who penned these words after the unexpected death of all of his children:

God.is.Good.
All.is.Well.
Happy New Year!