Happy New Year

In thinking about 2010, my "hymn of the year" comes to mind. Much of "How Firm a Foundation" has applied to my life in the past year, but specifically this week I was humming these verses:

"When through the deep waters I call thee to go,

The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;

For I will be with thee thy troubles to bless

And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,

My grace, all-sufficient, shall be thy supply.

The flames shall not hurt thee; I only design

Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine."

Dross is defined as:

impurity: worthless or dangerous material that should be removed; "there were impurities in the water"

slag: the scum formed by oxidation at the surface of molten metals

This year has been defined by flames consuming "scum". As a result...we are being refined. Also as a result... I am beyond ecstatic to see 2010 come to an end. In fact, all month I had an urge to burn something. Every time someone said, "I can't believe 2010 is almost over!" I thought, "Let it burn."

So on New Year's Eve in an inspired moment I took a lighter outside with my 2010 calendar (it would cause less damage than some of the other things I considered burning).

When S. came home to find me in the backyard in a burning ceremony...no lost love for the past year...he laughed and cheered.

At midnight, we sighed relief.

Happy New Year!