The best way to live is in the present, not dwelling on the past or straining to reach the future, and so we step prayerfully into a new year and into each new day and embrace what we find.

But there’s something about the frenzy of “out with the old year, in with the new” that seems… hurried. Ungrateful.

It sounds like “good riddance!” Some years, that’s how we feel. But even in the bad there may be some good.

Looking back over 2013, I find much to be thankful for:

• God’s presence in the good, the bad and the miserable.
• Good health
• Family and friends
• Stable finances
• Good books
• Joining GoodLife and discovering I can enjoy group exercise.
• Fencing lessons with one of my sons. I’m older and slower, but I can still learn.
• Another son’s graduation from university.
• A few oil painting lessons – who knew? I hope we can schedule more.
• Fun road trips
• Publication of my first novel – acceptance, editing, promotion, and finally holding a copy in my hand.
• Although some of my extended family have had health concerns, we’ve seen God working in the details and we’re seeing improvements.
• God’s ongoing renovation in my life to replace anxiety and its ilk with trust and good things.
• Full-time, pre-Christmas work I didn’t want to take, that gave me far more good things than a paycheque.

Entering 2014, I pray we’ll be blessed to see God at work in and through us, and that we will grow in gratitude, in grace, in faith and in a sense of wonder.

What are some of the things you’re thankful for from the past year? What are you looking forward to in the days ahead?