Last week I shared a post at MomAdvice.com about ending this year well. I acknowledged what cannot be denied, that 2016 has been — in so many ways — a no good, very bad, terrible year. But I also insisted — mostly to myself — that God can redeem anything, even a dumpster fire of a year, and that we can (perhaps we must?) end well as December comes to a close.

I know I’m not alone in looking forward to a fresh start as we flip over the calendar.

But before we head into a new year, we still have a few days left in this one – and I’m
determined to make the best of them. Rather than simply throwing up our hands in disgust
or defeat, let’s take back what’s remaining of this challenging year. Let’s celebrate
what actually worked or went well, and let’s give thanks for the blessings
we received in the midst of hardships.

No matter how this year has treated us, I believe we can still end well.

I believe in ending well, even though I don’t always succeed. As someone who’s quit a whole lot of things, I’ve had plenty of practice. But I’ve also had plenty of time to learn about myself and to realize that once I’m done, I’m done. Ending well is always my goal, but sometimes it feels as difficult as running a 5K or using the cash system (also goals).

When I realized a few months ago that Works for Me Wednesday was not, in fact, working for me or for this blog anymore, I had grand plans for ending it well. Other than making it to the end of the calendar year and only missing a few weekly link-ups, I’m not sure this ending has much in common with the one I imagined. But the fact remains that my time as host of Works for Me Wednesday has come to a close.

Two years ago Kristen Welch generously offered to pass the WFMW torch on to me, and I was incredibly grateful for the gift. I still am, and I have truly enjoyed hosting this carnival and getting to know many of you who have faithfully joined me week after week.

My life has been greatly influenced by the blogging of both Kristen and Shannon, the creator of Works for Me Wednesday, so my first thoughts of ending this link-up came with great guilt and no little sense of failure. But then I remembered that both of those writers had also made choices and changes along the way — otherwise I never would have had the opportunity to host this thing in the first place!

So, to keep this rambling story as short as I can (if you know me at all, you know I can’t FOR THE LIFE OF ME actually “make a long story short”), today is the last day of Works for Me Wednesday.

THANK YOU, thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who has linked up. Thank you, especially, to those of you who have linked up and even commented faithfully. I have so enjoyed reading about your lives and what you’re learning, and it’s been an honor to meet with you each Wednesday as we got to know one another and share our hearts together. Thank you for being part of Works for Me Wednesday. I wish you nothing but the best in 2017 and beyond!

Ending well — and being grateful for the journey — works for me!

If this is your first time linking up with WFMW here, PLEASE read the guidelines I shared in this post. Highlights include linking your specific post, not the front page of your blog, and making sure to include a link back to this site in your WFMW. Thank you!!