Thank you God for the 2008 Economic Train Wreck

I have never been a big fan of New Year's resolutions. Probably for the simple reason that I always break them by the second week of January. On the other hand I do try to take a quick inventory at the end of each year of my financial situation. Solomon says in Proverbs 27:23 "Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds". Since I don't have any flocks and herds, I just look at my finances.

In going through this process this year, I am seeing on a very personal level what my newspaper on Sunday (and probably most other news sources) rated as the #1 story for 2008. The Economic Train Wreck. It wasn't pretty on a global level and it wasn't pretty on a personal level.

However as I look back over 2008, I realize this was a tremendous year of learning. Here are just a few of the lessons I am in the process of learning:

1. I am learning to trust God and not a portfolio.
   
2. I am learning again that God is faithful. Looking back, I see time and time how He provided, He will provide in the future.
3. I am learning to re-evaluate what are needs and what are wants.
4. I am learning the increased joy of giving from a deeper level than giving from surplus.
   

Randy Alcorn is one of my favorite authors and frequently talks about the dot and the line. The dot represents the very few years that we are on this earth. The line that never ends extends from that dot and represents eternity. His point is that we should live our lives with the line in focus and not the dot.

Yes, our portfolios are smaller this December than they were last December, our jobs are less secure and our houses are worth less but each one of those relates to the "Dot". The lessons learned this past year all relate to the "Line" that extends throughout all eternity.

As hard as it is to say, it is true. Thank you God for the 2008 Economic Train Wreck.