Yesterday I was with a couple who just returned from two years overseas. It was a tough assignment. I asked them, "Has anyone debriefed you?" Difficult assignments and tough years need a good debrief.

2019 has been a hard year for our family. Karen and I each lost our fathers and we walked with them into the valley of the shadow of death. 

In the past year, God has asked us to do some difficult things. Maybe you can relate - along the way, I've been criticized and felt God say, "don't defend yourself." 

Yet, there is so much to celebrate. 39 years ago today, Karen and I were married! We've been given a wonderful family and they are doing so well.

One thing I've found that keeps me from quitting is to put the year in context with a good debrief. At the end of a year, I like to block out a couple of hours to bring out my journal and review it. And then to pray and wrestle through some questions that help me put root issues in perspective.

Over the years our ministry has debriefed tens of thousands of people. I've written a number of blog posts. And I've written a short debriefing tool to help people go through that exercise. I call it the "Year-End Debrief Tool."  

This Christmas, if you'd like a copy of it, just respond in the comment section below and I'll send you a digital version as a Christmas gift.

Karen and I wish you a wonderful Christmas season.