The holidays will arrive again this year, just like last year and the year before. For the widow, we remember. We recall the before and after. The "then" and the "now". Lamentations 3:22-24 reminds us that unending mercies are new every morning. Thanksgiving morning. Christmas morning. New Years Day. So great is our Lord's faithfulness. Whatever those holiday mornings bring, His mercies surround us. So does His strength, His grace, and His presence.

And so ..."I say, The LORD is my portion, therefore I will put my hope in Him." Leaning on Him, not my old expectations, acknowledging Him in all the plans that swirl around me, and let Him direct my path for a Holiday season that puts Him first.