It has been a tradition of mine for many years now to write a list of the best of the year. It generally includes new or deepened friendships, experiences, and events, among other things. There is no limit as to what I might write, although it is limited to the best of that specific year.
I’m not exactly sure when I started this tradition or why, but I’m thankful for whatever got me to do it in the first place. Ever since starting these lists each year, I have recognized how good each year has been.
Last year I started my list a little earlier than usual. With the promise of a busy Christmas season ahead of me and so many wonderful things to include on my list from that year already, I decided to begin my list during Thanksgiving weekend, adding any additional “bests” from December as the month went by. As it was, my “best” list was just really a list of all the things I had been thankful for that year.
This year I did the same, writing the chunk of my list over Thanksgiving weekend.
It has been a hard year for me in many ways, but it has been sweet to remember the special moments that have helped to make this year a little easier. I’m beginning to see those precious moments as little oases in my year of wilderness. God doesn’t always take us out of hard situations, but He’s faithful to give us what we need to sustain us along the way. Sometimes we just have to open our eyes to see that He has been doing that all along. Tonight I’m very thankful for my “oases” and for how He crowns each year, especially the hard ones, with His goodness.
Anticipating Adventure 