A year we will never forget for a variety of reasons. Certainly there is no need to rehearse them, but we’ll touch on a few of them briefly.
Those who love and follow the entertainment-world could quickly rattle off the names of many who have passed from the scene. They are feeling (and perhaps reeling from) the losses.
Law-enforcement-officers have had a really rough year.
The use of opiates has mushroomed tremendously this year, and along with it, the steady string of deaths. Our agencies are calling it an epidemic. Ohio is one of the worst hit states.
The Cavs won a Championship.
The Cubs won the World Series. ( Wish it could have been Cleveland, but what a run!)
Then, the big one. The presidential election. Don’t really want to go there, except to say that we must remember a couple things. Our hope is not in politics. We ALL want the best for our nation and our future. That’s right. We just don’t all agree on what that means or how we achieve it. I can tell you what it means for those who believe in following the way of Jesus. It means to love God with all our heart, and our neighbor (everyone everywhere, including those who hate us) as we love ourselves. That’s a tall order. This will not be denied by politics, and it will not be achieved through politics. It begins in our hearts.
There were personal joys for our family in 2016. Just like many of you, we welcomed a new little one into our family. We celebrated the engagement of a son and future daughter-in-law. We said goodbye to a dear Mom who is now experiencing life in the presence of Jesus. Though we miss her terribly, we rejoice for her. We had everything we needed every day of the year; food on our table, a roof over our heads, clothes on our backs, family and friends whom we love dearly and who love us too. What more could we ask for?
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I’ve been off work this week. It began with saying, “See you later, we love you!” to our family who spent the weekend celebrating Christmas with us. Then a couple days of the dreaded Norovirus. There’s one good thing about that monster: you realize how nice it is to feel good the rest of the year.
Now today, Mrs. Ross suddenly began purging and decluttering her cupboards and refrigerator. Maybe it’s because this is the last day of the year, I don’t know. I asked her if she had planned on doing this today. “No, it just happened.” That’s the way it works here. If we plan something, it’s tough to get started. When it “just happens,” look out! Staying out of her way seemed like the best option for me, even though I too occupied the kitchen, using the bar to work on a small project. But that didn’t last long. I soon became engaged (drafted) in the process of running outdated dry-goods and moldy “science experiments” to the compost pile, recycling the containers, and stacking up tupperware and never-to-be-used-again kitchen gadgetry that will soon be headed to the MCC Connections Thrift Store. There is no need to hang on to items that are still usable when we haven’t needed them for years. Purging is a good way to end the year, even if it was not planned.
Purging our thoughts from negativity is also a good way to end a year and begin a new one. There will be things that get us down, but we don’t want to stay there. Some really good advice is found in the book of Philippians. Christians especially, should keep these inspired words at the forefront of our thoughts and conversations.
Philippians 4:4-9 “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”
In a nutshell: Be joyful. Be gentle. Don’t worry. Pray. Be thankful. Ask God. Think about things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, praiseworthy. Do these things to experience God’s peace.
For those who don’t yet believe, these words are a window into the way we as Christians should be behaving. We fail often. Please forgive us, and consider joining us on the journey. It would be a wonderful way to begin a new year.
From Kidron, Ohio, where not much changes; where life is lived at a slightly slower pace; where the homely men are gradually improving, and the lovely ladies are patient with their men. This is where the children grow up healthy and strong, only to find that Kidron is too small for their large dreams. May God bless them where they are. May we all have a great 2017.
