A friend asked me what I was doing for New Year's. It's the same thing we do every year. Nothing much.
When our kids were little, they loved to see if they could stay up til midnight and watch the giant crystal ball drop slowly to the ground in New York City. Sometimes they made it-- but most times they fell asleep before celebratory kisses and hugs were exchanged. Not sure about tonight.
Normally we watch whatever's on television (with the exception of celebrity parties). Quivering horn-blowers and red-cheeked folks donned in mittens do nothing but steal the warmth of joy from my cozy living room. Just writing about them now sends shivers down my spine.
We don't rent movies, we don't go to parties, and we never venture out to eat. We don't play cards or dwell on last year's failings. We don't even stay up til midnight and watch the clock's hands pass twelve. It's just another day-- albeit a day my hubby gets home earlier (the only reason I celebrate it at all). We won't write resolutions or cook black-eyed peas with a dime in the pot for New Year's Day.
I can't remember the last time I made it till midnight on New Year's Eve. Maybe tonight will be one.
Today I look beyond tonight. Today I entertain the idea of 2014. I contemplate the "word" I plan to focus on in January. I like the idea of picking a word and letting it permeate the recesses of my mind-- meditating upon its power. Some folks set goals. I have none. I consider what God wants from me. I think about the world and all its challenges and woes. I think about the people God will inevitably place in my pathway. I think about the decisions I'll be forced to make. I think about the possibilities and the opportunities. I ponder the difficulties and irritating moments I've endured this past year-- situations I want to release from my heart and soul, so God can fuse peace in the renewing of my mind. Ah, 2013 is soon to be over and 2014 beckons me follow with plan and purpose. Micah 6:8 comes to mind:
"He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?"
So here I am. And so are you. Can we "do justly"? Will we love "mercy", not only for ourselves... but for others? Can we "walk humbly"... and recognize God is in control of every second of our lives? Can we stand for what is right as we watch the world's injustice? Can we accept mercy when we fail to follow as closely as we should? Can we extend mercy when we are wronged and thereby humble ourselves before our Maker and give Him glory in every circumstance? Well, I don't know about you. As for me, 2014 is prime time to try and live in such a way. Why? Because it "is good". selahVtoday by hariette petersen
