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new years blessing

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE

Jan 2, 2019

“Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.”     - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Articles written for January 1st are usually reserved for New Year’s resolutions.  This is no exception. I want to share one of my resolutions. In recent weeks I have been reminded of the importance of starting each day with thanksgiving, joy and confidence.  Even my doctor has told me that it is good for your health to wake up and begin the day by reflecting on three things for which you are thankful.  As in the past, I get a head start on my New Year’s resolutions by trying to put them to practice during the month of December; so I can confidently share with you my progress and hopefully inspire you to a similar goal. 

My early thoughts as I wake up and begin my days are of three simple words of thanks.  And as I walk through the day, I expect to be surprised by joy.  It’s something that if you expect it to happen, it usually will.  This in turn helps me to receive love and kindness from others and in turn willingly “pay it forward” by sharing the same with all who cross my path.  Such a positive start to each day has contributed to my sense of confidence in living because it begins my day in faith looking to God and trusting in the many ways God cares for me.  Psalm 65 portrays God’s strength, care and love in a way that helps us begin and end our days:

By awesome deeds you answer us with righteousness,

    O God of our salvation,
the hope of all the ends of the earth
    and of the farthest seas;
the one who by his strength established the mountains,
    being girded with might;
who stills the roaring of the seas,
    the roaring of their waves,
    the tumult of the peoples,
so that those who dwell at the ends of the earth are in awe at your signs.

You make the going out of the morning and the evening to shout for joy.

Written by Chaplain Lane Skoglund