Tomorrow is a new day

     

     Our New Year 2017 “quietly” arrived last night — at least quietly at my house — while I was sleeping. 

     Weariness from much holiday excitement took over, requiring an early turn-in for me. 

     Today I have been feeling somewhat like the interesting, young character in L.M. Montgomery’s writings, Anne of Green Gables, when she remarked, “Isn’t it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?” 

     Just think! We can begin another year with a slate wiped clean. 

     Recently, a phrase on Facebook by my friend, Linda, grabbed my attention. “As a blank page is to a writer, so let each day be a creation of which I can be proud.” 

     We do that, I believe, by living in the present and seizing the moment, otherwise we will miss the many blessings just waiting for us. 

     In being blessing-bearers ourselves, I think we are then blessed. 

     How easily removed are traces of someone’s life after they are gone. What I leave behind surely needs to be of spiritual value, for how quickly the rest can vanish! 

     For me, the future looks bright as I look to God — the One who is the Fountainhead from whom all blessings flow. 

     Taking an inventory of ways God has provided this past year, I became aware that God has blessed me in more ways than I can count. 

     One of the great endings to my year was a gathering of family and friends —17 in total — around my Christmas dinner table. 

     Amid much frivolity, bantering, laughter and warm hugs, cousins re-connected and new friends, Cecilia from Kenya, Shea, grandson Nathan’s new sweetie and my friendly neighbour, Hedy, all soon became an important part of the Christmas mix. 

     

     Disappointment reigned though, when I learned Christmas morning that daughter Debi and son-in-law Mark had both succumbed to a nasty flu bug and of course would be absent — a stark reminder our best laid plans can easily go awry. 

     A lively carol sing led by daughter-in-law, Carolyn, with her mom, Marian at the piano; Grandma Beulah’s reading, A True Fairytale from Ann Voskamp’s Unwrapping the Greatest Gift; and a short video from the Alpha program, entitled, Why Christmas? all helped us to focus on the reason for our celebrating. 

     

     Everyone then enjoyed our gift exchange, table games and puzzles, great conversation and later, more eating — delicious appetizers and munchies!  

     

     Our choice to have an early 3 o'clock dinner facilitated the above fun. 

     

     So, what or who will be our navigational guide for 2017?  

     Though the future has its uncertainties, yet each day we can have confidence in God’s sovereignty and sufficiency. 

     “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” — Deuteronomy 31: 8    

     
     Author Helen Steiner Rice reminds us in this poem, how we can be triumphant throughout 2017.  

What God Hath Promised 

God hath not promised skies always blue, 

Flower-strewn pathways all our lives through; 

God hath not promised sun without rain, 

Joy without sorrow, peace without pain. 

But God hath promised strength for the day, 

Rest for the labor, light for the way. 

Grace for the trials, help from above, 

Unfailing sympathy, undying love.  

     

     A blessed and healthy 2017 to all you gracious and faithful blog readers!



— beulah