A Fresh, New Year

There are some things that are just at their best when they are brand new - a new jar of peanut butter; fresh clean sheets; the first spoon of Blue Bell French Vanilla or Dutch Chocolate ice cream; the smell of a new car; and the first cry of newborn baby. Of course all of us would put different things on such a list. I already wish I had listed "opening a new book from a favorite author" and "the first corn, green beans, and new potatoes from the garden."

While all of those things are great, perhaps nothing seems better and fresher than the start of a new year. Resolutions designed to improve oneself; better organized stuff; an uncluttered calendar; and a rested body and mind all cause me to believe that 2010 will be a great year. Of course, I had some similar thoughts about this time a year ago related to 2009. But the economy, bad decisions, careless eating, wasted time, and an illness or two messed that year up badly.

The truth is that this year could be great or it could be a lot like last year. The key to which way it goes is in my possession. It all has to do with self-discipline, attitude, and faith. I really wish there were a way to blame failure and disappointment on something or someone other than me. But since reality is imbedded in my personal 2010 resolutions, I guess that I need to acknowledge that my actions or lack of actions, my reactions and thoughts, and my personal faith or lack of faith have much more to do with the evaluation of a given year than the actions of anyone else.

God has created a fresh, new year for me to live. My responsibility is how I will choose to live it. My prayer becomes - "may I live this year in a way that will honor the One who created it."