I just finished reading my Bible and I am surprised that the Beatles song,  “Hello, Goodbye” came to mind. Maybe it came because this is the last day of 2013, a time of exit and entrance. It is goodbye and hello.

I am leaving 2013 with many conflicting feelings. I have experienced two or three big good things, but they are tempered by the deaths of many things. I have seen the death of dreams, relationships and people. It has been a tough year!

As I say goodbye, and partially, good riddance, God is reminding me that even in death there are many things to be thankful for.  Sometimes a hello could be hidden in a goodbye. Some of these “hellos” will grow into wonderful things.

After finishing the passages at the end of Malachi, Psalms, Proverbs and the Revelation, I read the One Year Bible format, God encouraged me to list things I am thankful for. In a few moments I had a list of 19 blessings that were people, places, things, events, situations, ideas, that He is the source of. If I had spent more time, there would have been more things.

This small exercise is helping me have a desire to begin 2014 with a heart of hope and with less of a focus of loss. Instead of starting this year with your list of resolutions, maybe a list f things to be thankful for will give you a greater vantage point to set future goals. It will be for me.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus, be with you in 2014 and beyond.

Kelly