As I sit typing this, I can see on my desk a note that I wrote one year ago, December of 2017. I had been asking the Lord for a word for 2018, and immediately I heard in my heart, ‘This is the year of the Fatted Calf.’ I wrote this down in several places and put it where, when at times the year proved treacherous and the road rocky, I could see what God had promised.

In this year, both of my parents nearly died. Both ended up in critical care units in hospitals. Both overcame, both rose up again, at age 88 and 89, to have a few more laps around this pool called life. And, even as I write this, both of them are living safe and warm inside our home with us. After living in the Midwest for 40 years, they have found their way back to the Burgh. We just celebrated Thanksgiving with 2 of their great grandchildren who drove 400 miles to be with them. And prayerfully we will be able to gather even more of the family during the Christmas holidays. The Lord is good, His mercies endure forever. His promise to a thousand generations. I pray that there is a fatted calf in all of your homes this year, that your homes will be filled with love and joy.

~ Debbie Ecker