Happy New Year!

So, what are you doing the day after New Year’s Day? Did New Year traditions bring your family together for black eye peas and collard greens, a night watch service or other celebrations on New Year’s Eve, enjoying parades and football games on January 1st, maybe a hunting or shopping adventure? This first Saturday of 2021 offers opportunities to sleep late, get up early, store holiday decorations, clean yards, even enjoy a day filled with busyness, laziness, or whatever you choose to do?

New Year’s Day can stir emotions dreadfully or delightfully! Some people allow superstitions or negative attitudes to cause anxiety on the first day of a new year. Others enjoy making New Year Resolutions that challenge them to do and be the best they can while living life out loud in love every day of the year!

What resolutions will you be making for 2021? May we delightfully greet each day with hope, joy, and prayers for God to be honored in hearts, homes, government, and all things across America and around the world! Remembering that we are His children, created in His image, and loved so much that He sent His Son to die for our sins, can keep us closely connected to Father, Son, and Spirit!

What a difference we would see in America if people from sea to shining sea would make God first love (loving Him with all our heart, mind, and soul) and love our neighbors as ourselves! With millions of people living in this land we love, (that’s sadly sinking in sin and erupting from within) God knows each of His children by name and longs for us to restore Him to first place in our lives.

One of the best gifts I received for Christmas was from my sister, Mary Gaye. She gives generously from a tender, caring heart! Her shopping skills enable her to find perfect presents for me and many other people she enjoys giving gifts to throughout the year. When I began tearing paper from her last gift this year, her smile broadened as I pulled a journal from the box that read: Paper Sunday.

A colorful cross and verse from Isaiah 43 “ I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” were on the book’s cover.

The title page increased my joy with these words, “This journal belongs to Becky. As you journey through the pages of this journal, our hope is that you would have a deeper understanding of how much God loves you. He sees you, cares about the details of your life, and knows you by name.”

With family watching, I held the journal close to my heart with visions of writing in it dancing in my head. Reading the first page’s message - “Merry Christmas 2020 to my dear sister and best friend, Becky!” - strengthened our sisterhood cord of love and respect for one another even more. Then, tears wet the page as thoughts of friends whose siblings were spending their first Christmas and New Year in Heaven. Oh, the joy of having a brother and/or sister to share life with and give gifts that will forever live in our hearts, even after one of us goes Home.

My sister’s final instruction to understand the personal touch and precious teachings in my journal was to read the Bible verse on the first three journal pages. Squeals of joy rang out as I read: Becky, the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end’ they are new every morning. Lamentations 3: 22-23; Becky, come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28; So, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, Becky, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31

My sister’s gift seems to be the perfect ending for this New Year’s story. The message on the cover reminds us how important we are to our good, good Father. “ I have summoned you by name; you are mine” and ‘whatever you do, (insert your name here) do all to the glory of God”!

While we wonder what in the world will happen in America and across the planet this year, we can rest assured God will be with us, so we need not fear. Let us rise up and stand on the promises of Christ our King. Journal thoughts, live right, let bells of joy and honor for Jesus ring.! Write our love stories bravely and beautifully with God the main character. Walk in faith and lift up our voices in unison to sing… Glory to God in the highest, peace on earth, and praise Him in everything! Happy New Year to everyone. Thank you for faithfully reading the messages God puts on my heart.