The End of One Year....

   from the Valley of Vision :

                                                        Year's End


O Love beyond compare,
Thou art good when thou givest,
                       when thou takest away,              
                       when the sun shines upon me,
                       when night gathers over me.
Thou hast loved me before the foundation of the world,
              and in love didst redeem my soul;
Thou dost love me still,
               in spite of my hard heart, ingratitude, distrust.
Thy goodness has been with me during another year,
               leading me through a twisting wilderness,
               in retreat helping me to advance,
               when beaten back making sure headway.
Thy goodness will be with me in the year ahead;
I hoist sail and draw up anchor,
With thee as blessed pilot of my future as of my past.
I bless thee that thou hast veiled my eyes to the waters ahead.
If thou hast appointed storms of tribulation,
                thou wilt be with me in them;
If I have to pass through tempests of persecution and temptation,
                I shall not drown;
If I am to die,
                I shall see thy face the sooner;
If a painful end is to be my lot,
                grant me grace that my faith fail not;
If I am to be cast aside from the service I love,
                I can make no stipulation;
Only glorify thyself in me whether in comfort or in trial,
                as a chosen vessel meet always for thy use.

   I have seen this all to be true:  God has led and loved me, through "twisting wilderness" and labyrinth of uncertainty.  The waves tossed high in 2012, but my God delivered me through them all and proved Himself faithful, good and wise.  May you look back on 2012 and see His all-encompassing kindness.  And may we all praise Him for the work He has done.  It is what we were created for!