13 years and so much has changed

It is 6:15 on new years eve 2012.  As I write this my soundtrack is the faint hum of the newly assembled air hockey game my five year old son got for Christmas mixed with the whir of the dishwasher and the giggles of my children as they "defeat" their father.  In typical new years fashion, I'm reflecting on my life and am reminded of my celebrations 13 years ago . 13 years ago I had yet to meet my husband. I was a single 19 year old with a battle going on inside myself.  I have always had the desire to walk with the Lord, but at times my love of things of this world won out.  This particular year the world won. That night 13 years ago was spent at some party with my friends, and I believe the party didn't even start till 11 or so.  Nothing terribly eventful happened that night, except for the sovereignty and grace of my Lord and savior.  Every time we decide to choose to live our lives separate from our maker we put our selves in jeopardy.  I don't mean physical harm, although that could happen.
Galatians 1:16-18 says, "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.  For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other to keep you from doing the things you want to do.  But if you are led by the Spirit you are not under the law."  At that time in my life I was torn between the desires of the flesh and the desires of the Spirit.  I don't think I had an ah ha moment right then, but the people he put in my life and the path I was guided on by the will of my Lord has brought me to this moment. This moment of my two precious children and their father cuddle on the couch watching some holiday movie as they snack on candies and cookies.  As I reflect on this past year and all the years past, I am grateful for God's grace and continual guidance in my life.
           "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God."  Ephesians 2:8