A Fresh Start

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:18,19

 A new year is before me,
 A clean slate to write upon;
 Filled with hope for what's ahead
 In 2021.
 
 New beginnings, a fresh start-
 Much promise lays ahead.
 God has a plan this year for me,
 If I allow my heart to be led.
 
 I will take what I've learned from 2020
 And how it made me grow;
 Then ask God to guide me
 In the direction I should go.
 
 Putting 2020 behind me,
 I won't dwell on what has passed;
 I will focus on the future,
 And to God's Word hold fast. 

I’m sure I’m not the only one to be glad to see the end of 2020. It’s been a rough year for everyone in some way or another. But the good news is that we did get through it! We leaned on God as we persevered, learned new skills, sought out ways to stay connected, and in the process found a way to thrive. As with any new year, we look to the future with hope. But I think especially this year, we await with excited anticipation for what this new year holds. With vaccines being administered, we anticipate the end of our hibernation as our souls will be awakened anew. I also think we’ll be more appreciative of things we tended to take for granted before like sitting on the beach, enjoying a cup of coffee with a friend at Starbucks, and seeing people’s smiles as you pass by them in a store.

As I looked at the calendar this year, I thought about what God taught me about time in 2020. At the beginning of the year, I went on 2 major trips. I now treasure the time spent in those places. Then the pandemic hit, and I had a lot of time on my hands. At first I just frittered it away. But as the weeks turned into months, I knew I needed to map out a plan in order to stay sane! I wrote down what I wanted to accomplish, ways I could remain connected to the outside world, and things I wanted to learn to do. (One of the positive things that came out of that was this blog!) I won’t get all Pollyanna and say that the rest of the year went swimmingly, but I can say I was for the most part content. I focused on what I could do instead of what I couldn’t.

That is the attitude I bring into 2021. I will embrace what I’m able to do with a glad heart. I will anticipate with an open heart where God will lead me this year. As Isaiah 43:18,19 says, God is doing a new thing! He is making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. He will show us a way out of this time of isolation and water our souls. So, as we move forward into the new year, let us look to God for guidance and hold fast to His Word. Wait in excited anticipation for the new thing He will do in 2021!

Dear Lord, Let my heart not be troubled by the things of the past, so that I may move forward into the new year with a hopeful heart. I am grateful for a new year and the hope it brings. I pray that I have an open heart towards Your guidance for me this year. Amen