I do not know about you, but my year has been a year of many ups and downs, good things and not so good things.

One of the “negative” things in my life was being laid off from a very good job that I had been with for several years. Since then I have been unable to land a new full-time job. I say “negative” because it has been a bitter/sweet thing to be out of that job.

Although I enjoyed the job, it was a swing shift–seven days of 12 hour shifts, then a seven nights of 12 hour shifts. These shifts were from 6-6. This made it very difficult to get any real good sleep…ever. Not having this job, has allowed me to get much better sleep. Maybe this was God’s way to get me out of that job and get the rest and time with family that was needed. It has also allowed me to have the needed time off for when my wife had our newest baby, with no consequences. But, I do miss the good paycheck.

Since then, I have had to really trust in God to provide for my family. It is amazing how He has provided in many ways completely unexpected! God is a good and faithful God!

One of the great things that happened this year was the birth of our eighth child! It is a bit overwhelming in that my wife and I are not exactly young anymore. God must feel we still have it in us to raise another child.

It has been a real blessing (though very little sleep) to have a baby in the house again. We are excited with raising another boy!

I want to encourage you, as you ring in the New Year, to trust in God for all the circumstances in your life. Give God the praise and glory for all the good and bad things that occur. Look to Him as the author and finisher of your life.

Now in the words of Peter:

“To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours: Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” 2 Peter 1:1-2

Happy New Year!

Tom Arn has ministered in many facets of the church, from children’s pastor, senior pastor, and currently as a Sunday School Teacher. He has General Ministries Degree. He began with short devotional Bible studies on his blog, Insights From Tom in 2014. He travels through each book of the Bible, chapter-by-chapter and section-by-section, writing what God places on his heart at the time. Tom is happily married for 31 years to his wonderful wife Cammie. Together they share with everyone how God has blessed them with eight children and one precious grandchild. He desires that God may richly bless you, and make you more like Jesus everyday, drawing you closer to Him.

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