I heard a Bible teacher once comment that the two books of Samuel and Kings are history written from man’s viewpoint while Chronicles is history written from God’s viewpoint. For example, consider how King David is remembered in each. In Samuel and right into Kings it’s tabloid fodder galore. You get it all: Bathsheba, Absalom, the works. Now, look at how David’s life is memorialized in Chronicles. Only one thing against him is noted: when he tried to take a census of Israel, something strictly forbidden under Mosaic Law.

It’s not that God turned a blind eye to David’s transgressions. He didn’t. David paid a heavy price for his sins. Yet despite these, God called him a man after His own heart. How? Penalty and consequence. Christ died for David’s sins. David endured the consequences of his actions. The latter had its time under the sun. But the forgiveness, the grace, the love? These are forever. These are eternity, an eternity with Jesus facilitated by His sacrifice and subsequent destruction of death’s hold.

It’d be easy to rattle off a list of everything that went wrong or at best sideways in 2009. There were more than a few dark moments. Instead, kindly indulge me as I mention some of the things that went right this soon to be past year. While I am very glad to see 2009 go, there were moments and events I will never let go.

I finished the book. In doing so I honored God’s call on my life.

I drew closer to, more aware of Christ’s truths and love.

God was kind enough to use my modest scribbles here and elsewhere to get people through brutal situations by drawing them closer to Him.

I rediscovered the joy of creating music.

Despite hard times financially, it didn’t all come crashing down.

I met and was blessed by some beautiful fellow ragtag soldiers.

I was witness to some amazing moments of God speaking with a smile.

And did I mention I finished the book?

Yes, there was a lot of serious suckage in 2009. But throughout it all, in Christ I made it through it all.

Bring on 2010.