What a Year

What a year has just passed by
When our hearts could sing and other times it cried.
There were high times and low times too
Some days seemed to drag and yet it seems the year almost flew.
Heroes were born and some of them fell low.
Progress is made, and yet we have a long way to go.
I look ahead with confidence and hope to see,
Faith restored in the land of the free.
I pray for peace and for wisdom to reign in the land.
I pray the importance of God’s help all will understand.
As the days in our new year ahead unfold
Lord I pray we will gather the new nuggets of gold.
And learn to lift up and release the shards, thorns, pains, and shame;
So when this next  year ends just thanks and praise remains.

Jeremiah 29:11-14
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.  Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.  And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.