The Year of the "Pig"

This year is supposedly "the year of the Pig." And, astrologically speaking, I am what one would call a "Pig." (Not that I buy into astrology and all that stuff at all. That just seemed like a good intro for a blog.)

Well, the year has never really seemed like "my" year at all. Not until this month, anyway. So far, this month has been quite surreal. Like somehow, the year is "my year," after all–like it is trying to "prove" that it really is "the year of the Pig"–this "Pig," that is.

With the way things have been going for me this month, it just might be. (Let me just repeat that I do not in any way whatsoever subscribe to astrology and horoscopes. I do not think that any Bible-enlightened and Bible-believing person would–nor should.)

All throughout the year, God has indeed been good to me and He had indeed sustained me through all the nicks and bruises each minute, hour, day, week, and month have brought. (and there were many this year). Yet somehow, it seems like He's reserved the last month of the year for the "best"–for unexpected blessings.

So far this month, I have received a brand new Compaq laptop, a new bed and mattress, two dandy blouses, two nicely-colored bath towels, two big boxes of Q-tips, plus a few other things (money, too) from two of my aunts. And I never even asked them for any of those things! Imagine my thankful surprise in having been on the receiving end of such blessings.

Let me clarify, in case you start thinking I am a materialistic person–for I am not one. To me, things simply are tools to be used for God's glory and honor, for my personal improvement, and for the well-being of my fellow men. However, I do not ordinarily get so many things (most of them quite hefty on the pocket, too) in such a short span of time–just out of the blue and all unasked for. Somehow, the physically material blessings I recently received have been God's way of loudly proclaiming that He has been, and still is, looking our for my well-being. That year of the Pig or no year of the Pig, His eye is on me, just as it has been on the sparrows. Maybe He just wants that extra loud and clear this time thinking that is what I need.

Whatever the reason, I am both thankful and grateful.