My December Prayer

Lord God,

I often talk to you about "seasons".  And over the last five years, I have tried to learn to deal with seasons, to accept the good with the bad.  I remember sitting in my camper alone at night and yelling, and crying, and wondering when I would be able to see light at the end of the tunnel.  The things I experienced during my adventure in Kentucky were not life and death (most of the time), but oftentimes they were not as easy as I had been accustomed to.  It was cold in the camper in the winter, oftentimes lonely, and running water is something that I will not take for granted anytime soon.

And when things are tougher than normal, it seems like I talk to you a little more often.  But tonight, I want to stop and say, from the bottom of my heart, thank you.  Thank you for the lessons that you taught me during that time.  Thank you for letting me be scared.  Thank you for letting me be lonely.  Thank you for letting me get to know some less fortunate boys and their plights.  Thank you for giving me time to heal.  And thank you for my wife that endured years by herself so that I could regain my self-confidence, have a new perspective on life, and a new appreciation for even the small things.

I am about ready to go to bed, in a nice warm house.  Today I got to visit an old friend that I have known since I was thirteen and reminisce about the "old days" and dream together about the future.  I got to go to my nephew's Christmas concert and see him sing.  Tonight, I got to be a part of a community that is celebrating your birth (whether they know it or not).  I got to talk to people at work and encourage them and build them up and love them and care for them.  And I get to be in a position to try and make a positive difference in their lives.

So, again, I just want to say, "Thank You" God for this holiday season and thank you for this season in my life.  The tough times in my life, and also Your goodness, are proof of your love for me and I know I am blessed.

Goodnight God.

Amen.