The New Year is a time to make resolutions, to leave past failures behind and start fresh. It’s rather like an author opening a new document and staring at the blank page. Excitement hums, anticipation whirls, and hope-filled ideas swim in the waters of grand dreams and endless possibilities. Yet, amid all that hope and excitement lies a twinge of fear, of uncertainty. What if this new idea isn’t as good as the last? What if this new year brings hardship instead of blessing?
As the verse from above proclaims, Christ came to make all things new. To eradicate sin and failures and fill us with hope, with confidence, and with joy. And this blessing doesn’t just come at that pivotal moment when we dedicate our lives to him. His mercies are new every morning. Every day can be a New Year’s Day, filled with hope, promise, and a renewed commitment to walk our life’s path with the Lord at our side.
This New Year’s Day was especially precious to me. My youngest son, Peter, decided he was ready to commit himself to following Christ and was baptized by his daddy. I sat on the front pew (to ensure I had an unobstructed view) and wept copious tears of joy as my heart celebrated along with the angels, welcoming another soul into God’s family.
Peter’s Baptism
Mom and siblings watching from the front pew. Many happy tears were flowing!
The entire family (including proud grandparents) celebrating afterward.
As a parent, there is nothing I have prayed for more over the last eighteen years, than the spiritual well-being of my children. And this past Sunday, the last of my three children pledged his life to God. I cannot imagine a more blessed way to ring in the New Year.
So as you put away the Christmas decorations and set your resolutions for 2017, let me encourage you to hold fast to the hope we find at this time of year, and keep renewing it every morning, all year long.
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What are you most looking forward to in 2017?
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What are some of your goals and dreams for the new year?
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Congratulations Karen! What joyous news!
For 2017, I want to focus on His blessings, and not forget to listen to His voice. Many times we are too busy or felt too self-righteous and starts to complain. I need to work om the complaining, but instead give thanks.
On a more tangible topic, looking forward to what God has in store for the Christian Fiction Readers Retreat 2017. Honoring God is still the theme, and we still want to achieve that.
Thanks!
What wonderful goals, Annie! I think we can all relate to the need to focus more on His blessings and spend less time complaining. That trap is all too easy to fall into.
Can’t wait to learn more about the Retreat, too. Such a fun event!
I rejoice with you!
Thanks, Sharon! Best New Year celebration ever!
Wonderful news about Peter’s baptism, Karen. The Lord makes all things new!
Thanks, Becky. We mamas can’t help but worry a bit, and this one was the one who always played his cards so close to his chest, it was hard to know what he was thinking. But God is so good. Prayers were answered, and I’m thrilled to see what God does next in these three young lives surrounding me.
I can imagine how thrilled you and your husband must be. When I watched my children being baptized it was as exciting ass when they were born the first time.
Yes! With none of the pain. Only the joy. Ha!
The verse in Lamentations was just buzzing through my mind this morning. I even caught myself humming the song I learned long ago that helped teach me the verse. I love this original New Year – every day – fresh start! Congratulations on the baptism! Special!
Thanks, Angie. There is just something so freeing about realizing we can have a fresh start every day. Makes hope more vibrant and joy that much easier to hold on to.
I am going to work on my love walk with family and other people.Set a guard o lord before my mouth keep watch at the door of my lips is my prayer letting the lord do some cleansing in me so that I can be a more loving wife,mother,sister and friend…God Bless you .Happy New Year.
Praise God for His new mercies every morning! I was so happy to read about your youngest committing himself to Christ and getting baptized! I’ve shed many a tear that my (middle) child will renew her commitment and faith in God again but I long for those happy tears. God bless, love the pics!