On a "school scale" that is, 1-100, I'd have to give this year a 68 D+. Worse than average, but not a failure.
Others haven't seen it that way. There are some folks who think I have either failed, or am currently failing.
Don't get me wrong; God has continued to bless me abundantly! He certainly has never failed me.
I had some big milestones:
I turned the big Six-O
I published my second novel.
Sally and I celebrated our 32nd wedding anniversary.
I marked 17 years in the pastorate and nearly 30 years in the ministry.
Most of the negative things that brought this year down to a D+ are things that I simply cannot write about in public. (Not that anyone really reads this blog.)
I had a 5 week sabbatical planned for October, but due to circumstances, I had to postpone it until next year.
I learned a valuable, but costly lesson; I must watch who I trust.
I was making great progress on my third novel when things took a nosedive. I haven't had the gumption to write since August.
There is no pleasure in being accused of what the accuser is doing.
This is by far the most I've written about the betrayal and the pain that follows. Through this, I have tried to keep Exodus 14:14 in mind," The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent."
I haven't tried to defend myself which my adversaries see as weakness or even guilt. I'm taking a cue from Jesus who didn't answer his accusers and let them make fools of themselves.
And, good grief! Don't think that I am taking a "holier than thou" attitude. I know my sin. As King David said in Psalm 51, "My sin is ever before me."
And I'm tired. So very tired. I started the year with gout and ending with severe back pain. Oh, and I just got over pneumonia.
May God bless us all in 2025!
