On the eve of a new year I am reminded of God’s mercy built into our life. He lets us start over again and again. His mercies are new every morning. Every day there are disappointments and mistakes, and 2016 will not be any different. There will be thrills and there will be ills. Struggles and victories. There will be falling down, but there will be getting up!

The seasons and the passing years are reminders of both the transiency and possibilities of life on this planet. The years are adding up for me. There are fewer ahead on this earth than behind. My list of goals, however, just keeps getting longer! What I hope to change, though, is the focus of my “TO DO” list. I absolutely still want to be the perfect weight and run a marathon. I definitely still want to become a gourmet cook. I really desire to learn to speak Spanish and want to play a guitar. In a fit of realism, I have crossed becoming an astronaut off of my list, but nothing else!! Yet, more and more, I realize those are things to pursue within a larger and more permanent framework. What will last forever are souls. Relationships with other souls. Relationship with my creator. Family and friends are more important than my “TO DO” list. Time spent doing even mundane and trivial pursuits with them is more important than a completely checked off list.

So for this coming year, though I am not ready to give up my “TO DO” LIST, I am tweaking it a little. I want to focus more on what is most important. This body I am residing in – at least my creaking knees, and various other parts -are reminding me that they are not permanent. My sagging skin (which seems permanent) is so distressing! (Will someone PLEASE invent a wrinkle eraser?). What is really going to last forever? That is where I want to focus. I want to pursue what has eternal value. With that in mind, I resolve to touch other people’s lives more. I resolve to share more of my time and my possessions. I will listen more. I will try to hear what is not being said. I will try to speak less with words and more with actions This year I need less of me!!

Jesus says that eternal life is to KNOW Him. Eternal life is definitely on my list. So I am moving TIME SPENT with God and others to the top of my list. Removing wrinkles is still there but will have to wait. All of my other goals are still there also…. they are just moved further down.

This Christmas, amidst all of the hustle and bustle, I want to remember the real meaning of this celebration.
I am thankful for parents, siblings, children and friends…but I want to say thank you to the one closest to me.

1. You are closer to me than a brother ever could be

2. You have loved me when I behave and when I do not

3. You have always given me wise advice whenever I ask

4. You have sworn to always look after me

5. You care for my family and friends and want them to know you

6. You always offer to share your riches with me

7. You know me better than I know myself

8. You listen to my every concern, big or small

9. You do not look the other way when I do something wrong, but always seek to put me back on the right path

10. You died for me

With all my heart,
I thank you.

I love you.

If you listen to the media these days there is a constant theme. Be alert. Watch your neighbor and those around you. If anything or anyone looks suspicious point it out to a law enforcement officer. Well, I understand the thinking behind this but I think there is a healthier way to change our culture. I agree that we need to be alert. We need to watch the behavior of others, but for a completely different reason and with a completely different purpose. What would happen to our society if we all were trying to catch one another in the act of doing something good? So much good is done quietly behind the scenes. Quiet people doing what needs to be done….taking care of the elderly, feeding homeless, supporting all varieties of charity, reading to kids, all without any recognition. Moms and dad who stay up all night with sick children and then still go to work. Teachers who go the extra mile and purchase school supplies for their classroom with their own money. Nurses who help patients retain their dignity when no one else is looking. The list is endless…..so why,oh why, do we not focus on these things? We rarely say thank you. We just take all this for granted. If something evil happens it has all the attention of the media! It is not that it should not be reported, but the laser focus on what is bad in our society and the total blackout about what is good is something none of us should tolerate. The media only cares about what sells. They do not care about our safety or our mental health. So lets send a message about what sells. Turn off the bad news after hearing it once…after all, that is all you need to know. And if you ever see a good news story, send an email to whatever network aired it and say thank you!