Sunday, January 1, 2012

...and a Happy New Year!... MEAN IT!

Good morning, and a Happy New Year to you! No, I'm not just saying that... I mean it! Isn't it funny how some sayings lose their punch when they get repeated... repeated... repeated... without much thought!?! Now, this particular phrase is often put out there with MUCH enthusiasm, by well-meaning people, but how many really reflect on what a "Happy New Year" might look like? As good as last year? Better? Most people that I know make some attempt at a NEW YEARS' RESOLUTION... something to commit to, with much resolve. It often is something like "lose weight", and sometimes something like, "save money", or "be a more positive person". ...all good stuff.

I got up this morning and looked out the window. It wasn't snowing. It wasn't raining. It was sunny. I gave thought to the New Year, that it held hope! The future looked promising, even if it was only for today! It was not of my doing... it was an "Act of God". It got me reflecting on the year passed, and the years past, and all I was blessed with... all I was thankful and happy for.

Curious, I turned to the Bible, to see what I might glean for an example of a Happy New Year. I settled on Noah... you know, the guy that built a big boat, saved a bunch of animals, survived a pretty big flood. This is what one of his "New Years"
looked like...

"And it came to pass in the six hundredth and first year, in the first [month], the first [day] of the month, the waters were dried up from off the earth: and Noah removed the covering of the ark, and looked, and, behold, the face of the ground was dry. Genesis 8:13"

Wow! I was happy it wasn't bad weather this morning... I can't imagine what Noah was thinking on THAT New Years Day! The Bible says Noah, who built the Ark, was 600 years old during the Great Flood, and he lived to be 950 years old. He had 600 years to reflect on, and 350 years after the flood to look forward to, with hope.

I am 54 years old, with quite a bit to reflect on. It would take me a long time to sort through all those years, but this last year is an easy one. I had my quadruple bypass performed on October 21st, a little over two months ago. That was my personal "Great Flood". It's a New Year, and I am still here. God brought me through it, and caused the sun to shine today. For me, that is enough to make me thankful for the past, hopeful for the future. I need no New Years' Resolution. I will just "be happy" in this "Happy New Year", trusting in God's Grace and Mercy. With His Blessings, we will have a moment to reflect again, at this time, next year!

May God Bless your Happy New Year!

Stickman