I had never quite placed life in such perspective, as the new year beckoned. It has usually been “Thank God this year is gone,” if the year had been particularly trying. I have to thank the writer, Mr. Joe Stowell, for providing new insight. His description of God’s hands in the picture, presented in that rearview mirror, very accurately sums up my life in the year 2010.

2010, to be very understated, was not a very good year for me, if measured by the usual yardstick, used by many to gauge a successful life – the house, the car, the overflowing bank account, the helicopter in the heliport, etc., etc..  I did have the car and still do. For at least one night in 2010, the night of Good Friday, no less, the car became the house. I deliberately remained in the car throughout the night, unwilling to go into my temporary lodging. “Temporary lodging” is an apt description of my lodgings for too much of 2010. The bank account was not overflowing. As a matter of fact, at times it seemed as if a strong current had whipped the wallet from my hand, and taken it downstream, out of reach. The “difficulties and pain” overflowed my cup.

Am I happy to see 2010 leave and do I wish that I had metaphorically slept through 2010, and awakened to the promise of 2011? Nope. 2010 was the year, more than any other time, that I discovered why God “brought certain people and circumstances into” my life.  I half-jokingly wrote my friends that it took a blood infection for me to realize how much I am loved. God demonstrated His love and taught me a valuable lesson. I was always “Ms. Independent,” not needing help from anyone. The lesson has been learned that there are times when we do need help, and we must learn to be sufficiently gracious to accept that help. The lesson was learned and God poured out His blessings. These blessings came through His messengers, those same friends and family members who rallied around.

2010 is also the year when it was crystallized for me that the “career” into which God had placed me is indeed to be found in the written word. One goal that is for 2011 and for whichever other years God grants me life, is to use that writing ability in “service” to my adopted country. I began writing the following e-mail to those friends, letting them know that I am determined to keep writing and be even more prolific:

Friends, I cannot make this New Year wish just about "peace and prosperity," although I wish that for all of us. Above all, I pray to God, for the coming year, to save this country, undeserving though we are.

I find myself facing this coming year with a mixture of hope (nothing unusual there), and resolve - resolve that I am going to be "eternally vigilant," and be prepared to defend faith and country. With each passing day, I am convinced that this country is under assault from unadulterated evil. There is no way to sugarcoat what has been happening, and we are being forced to accept it all, either in the name of "safety," "stimulus," or "hope and change." Many of us have been fooled, and continue to be fooled. We sit back and watch our Constitution being ignored, if not outright trampled upon. In too many instances, “ineptitude” has become a qualification for being handed a job to govern.

Here is my suggestion. If “inexperience” is the rationale for why so many inept actions taken by the ruling class, have become the norm, then we need to have future candidates for office pass a "Ruler Examination,"  no, I do not mean the instrument used to measure, although that could come in handy in preparing for the examination. This examination should include working knowledge of the US Constitution, Math skills, US history, the English language, and any other pertinent material, such as how to balance a budget. The passing grade is 100%. The exam can be retaken – another year, if potential candidate fails, and must be passed, before the "coronation."  

While we are "vetting," pertinent records should be open for examination, and not just by a handpicked group of sycophants. Yes, Mr. and Ms. Candidate, for whichever federal office, should be very familiar with that US Constitution which, according to a noted commentator/journalist is one hundred years old, so folks no longer know how to read it and understand it. The Bible is considerable much older, so does that mean that I am wasting my time by daily reading of it? Also, isn’t the US Constitution considerably older than one hundred years old, having had its first birthday on September 17, 1787?

So, Ms. Eternal Vigilance,” self appointed, will be keeping an eye open,  and an ear unplugged, on the ruling class, using that “outdated” US Constitution, and that even more “outdated” Bible, as her guides. As Mr. Stowell summed up:

“With the promise of God’s presence and help in mind, you can move ahead into 2011 with utmost confidence.”

Confidently, II Chronicles 7:14-20, Psalms 8, 27, 91, 100 and 121, will continue to be the supplications sent to God. There will never be another country like the US. If its destruction is brought about either by misguided fools, or deliberate knaves, where will those who break in without benefit of “papers,” those who wait to be invited in, and earn those same papers, or those born here with the benefit of “pre-existing papers,” turn to for sustenance, in terms of a country? Of course, God is always there, with outstretched hands, if we allow Him to help. I know of what I speak.

My idea of “sustenance” moves beyond a meal on the table. It encompasses the sustenance of knowing that one is in one’s country:

• With its Flag flying proudly
•  Its Constitution intact and revered
•  One can practice one’s religion without fear of discovery and punishment
• That one can speak freely without fear of the “Thought Police” knocking on the door
• That its leaders are not above the law

Those are the “little” things that sustain me. May God preserve America. May He forgive us for all that we have done to dishonor Him, either by our silence when others have dishonored Him, or have actively done the deeds ourselves. May He infuse wisdom into those whom He allowed to ascend to a leadership position.

Please help us, Lord.

Happy New Year to one and all, and a future very bright!