Beginnings and Endings Friday Five

My turn to set the Friday Five over at Revgals this week:

This Celtic Mandala represents life, noting how days and years turn from one to another. As we have stepped from 2008 into 2009 some of us look back with joy and others with sadness; probably most of us with a mixture of the two.

As we look back we may come to understand how God has worked in and through us in joy and sadness. how we have grown against what may seem impossible odds. As we look forward we may do so with expectation, and we may do so with fear and trembling. As we look back and forward in New Years liminality I offer you this simple yet I hope profound Friday Five in two parts:

First list five things that you remember/ treasure from 2008:

1. Watching Jo, Jon and Chris complete their first year at University with success, both academically and in independent living.

2. The chance to write as I want to; self expression is important to me, it is where I find my most creative spark. I believe we all have one, and that it is important to discover it.

3. Teaching Lou's ( eldest sons' fiance)daughter Ollie to swim, she was so determined and would not give up- she taught me a thing or two!

4. Trips to Walsingham for retreat days- I live about 40 minutes away from this wonderful place; I always go alone and do my own thing there, and enjoy God's company in the silence.

5. People, so many different and wonderful people who have crossed my path through the year, some were family and friends, others strangers but each encounter made a difference.

Then list five things that you are looking forward to in 2009:

1. Being Stationed as a Methodist Minister for the first time.

2. Completing the taught part of the MA I am studying for and getting my teeth into the dissertation.

3.Moving house- and clearing away the junk of 6 years worth of accumulated stuff. I am a natural hoarder but moving brings out the clearance freak in me.

4. Playing my guitar more- this will take conscious effort, but it is something I really want to do.

5. Paul ( my eldest son) and Louise's wedding in July.

As you read one another's blogs today I challenge you to leave a word of encouragement and pause to pray for each member of Revgals as we step into a New Year. I leave you this New Year Blessing from the Iona Community:

We stand to face the future:

God behind us in the past

Christ before us; the way ahead;

Christ beside us in this moment;

Christ beneath us in our weakness;

Christ above to shield us-

beneath the shadow of his wings we are safe;

Christ between us to bind us in the unity of his love;

Christ in us equipping us with his all sufficient grace.

Thus armed and guided, and protected we face the new year.

Now we arise and go forth on the journey before us,

knowing that, where Christ leads, life is a journey home.

Therefore we travel in faith, in hope, and in love,

in the name of the Father/ Mother, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

May the blessing of God

be upon us

all this year

and into eternity. Amen.