2013, A Reflection

2013, A ReflectionIn our memories many years fade into blur because they are marked by ordinariness, uneventfulness, a measure of tranquility, and an absence of evil and pain. There is blessedness in that kind of quietness, in life being good. 2013 has not been that kind of year for Susie and I. It has been a year of incredible highs, like the birth of little Shaheed Junior, ministry in Tanzania, a Frei brother reunion, a cancer-free medical report for Susie’s mom, visiting Betsie in Boston, Hansi and Amanda expecting their first child, Susie’s Mom Beverly being cancer free, our nephew Philip surviving being pinned under a tree with mere scratches, our daughter Andee living through an accident at her school, and my brother Michael making it through a major brain tumor surgery without the loss of any functions.Of course both Andee’s accident, Phillips incident, and Michael’s operation were lowlights that turned into highlights because of their outcome. They could have been tragic.  They were panic moments that turned into praise and gladness. In those moments God held out his protective hand, and we are so grateful. Grateful God led Phillip out of the deep valley of depression. Grateful that Andee was not hurt any worse than an injured left hand and that her hand is healing. Grateful that Michael’s tumor was found and that his doctors are optimistic.I wish that this were all, but this year God allowed deep darkness, crushing sorrow, and the inexplicable into our lives. Shaheed hurt his son, almost killed him, and permanently damaged him. Little Junior is now a beautiful little boy with a very damaged brain. Shaheed is in prison for many years and maybe the rest of his life. I do not have the words to convey the darkness and pain of all of this, it swept like a tsunami across our souls and hearts. All we could do was to cling to the lone tree standing in the torrent, our Lord Jesus Christ.Susie and I have been praying for God to reveal more of himself to us. If God is truly infinite then there is infinitely more to discover. We have been praying for God to make us more like Christ. We have asked to be used by him in our family, our church, and our community. And in response God has given a year of extremes, of utmost heights and lowest lows, of being stretched beyond what we asked and imagined. Strangely enough in all of this we have not found less of God but more, we have not felt abandoned but kept, and even in our confusion our trust in God has grown, and we are able to say, “Amen,” to words the Apostle Paul penned long ago: “It started when God said, "Light up the darkness!" and our lives filled up with light as we saw and understood God in the face of Christ, all bright and beautiful. If you only look at us, you might well miss the brightness. We carry this precious Message around in the unadorned clay pots of our ordinary lives. That's to prevent anyone from confusing God's incomparable power with us. As it is, there's not much chance of that. You know for yourselves that we're not much to look at. We've been surrounded and battered by troubles, but we're not demoralized; we're not sure what to do, but we know that God knows what to do; we've been spiritually terrorized, but God hasn't left our side; we've been thrown down, but we haven't broken” 2 Corinthians 4:6-9 (MSG). So, Susie and I rejoice in the faithfulness and abiding presence of Christ throughout 2013 and are confident he will anchor us in 2014 as well.We thank all of you who have prayed with and for us, have cared for us, and took the time to love on us and wish you a blessed New Year.Hans and Susie