I’ll add mine to everyone else’s, happy new year! What promise lies in the new year? New job? A new car? A promotion? A new relationship? Your dream vacation? Graduation?

But as bad as you want those things would you die without them? I spent most my career working with teenagers and college students. They are masters at hyperbole! “If he breaks up with me I’ll die!”

“If I don’t get into the right school my life is over.” If they have a rough day you can count on their status reading “FML.” (f*** my life) Honestly, when I hear that I want to grab them by the throat, smack them upside the head and scream, “Give me a break!”

You know my story. I know you’re probably just as bored by it as I am in telling it. Liver disease… Blah, blah, blah. Transplant… Blah, blah, blah. I’m going to die… Oh boo-hoo. Even I am sick of my whining. I want this to be over .

For me 2012 represents life. It offers the hope of a transplant. A new liver. A new beginning.

FML ? No way! 2011 has taught me that life is precious. Every day is a gift. I’ve learned to value people more, find peace in my GOD and to stop serving stuff . I want to invest my life in things that matter rather than stuff that’s going to rust, bust, turn to dust and break up in the end.

My prayer for you in the new year is that you discover LIFE like it is meant to be. Don’t let circumstances rob you of that life. And please forgive me in advance if you come around saying “FML” because I’ll punch you in the face . Okay maybe not, but at least I’ll want to.

A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came you can have real and eternal life, more and better life than you ever dreamed of. – Jesus
John 10:10 -MSG