Monday, January 1, 2007

My dearest God,

The first day of the new year brought joy. A son and his family, a niece and hers joined us in a New Year's Eve celebration. Six of us cut up beef, fruits, and bread. Took us over an hour. We were starving! We put the fondue pots on the dining room table - oil for beef, cheese for bread, chocolate for anything you want to put in chocolate! Then we sat down to eat. But nothing was hot enough. Finally had to stick a couple things in the microwave to get them going. Using a candy thermometer for oil isn't a good idea either. The recipe said the oil had to be 425 degrees. By that time we would have blown the house away! A hilarious ending to an old year! But oh so good when we finally ate the delicious morsels!

We watched the ball drop in Times Square. Brought back memories when I gave my husband a Christmas gift of New Year's Eve at Times Square. He had always wanted to go so we did for three days. What a great city with a pretty good guy!

As I joined in singing Auld Lang Syne, I was cognizant of what I was leaving behind. What I wrote on my slips and left at the altar on Sunday is exactly what I am surrendering. Burdens left behind can lighten the load ahead. That's what I want.

I have a lot to do, to accomplish in this new year, especially this new 175th year! It's going to be a pivotal year, a make or break year at the church. Our task forces will need to do their work. We will need to secure grant funds. We will need to excite bored members and keep the passion going for those on fire. Our leaders will lead the way in their life as stewards of God, carrying the gospel message daily. Together we have great promise, but we will have to work it together.

Personally, I have one big thing I need to do. I will need to conquer the fear and trust in order to move on in that area of my life. I will need to stand with God, become vulnerable, take God's hand and step inside. It's a lingering Advent challenge, another way to unclutter my soul's life. I want to fulfill that inner challenge, delighting God, myself and others.

It seems that life boils down to trust. Do I trust God enough to step forward? Do I trust myself? And what about specific others? What is on the line if I do not? Life won't work well unless I trust!

I want to live my faith well this new year. I want to end this new year in gratitude, paying special attention to God's mercy, goodness, and grace. In order to achieve my dreams for the end of the new year, then I need to prepare, plan, trust God to guide me through this year starting today. I can't be haphazard about faith; I need to be intentional, committed, consistent, faithful.

In a couple weeks I will gather with my covenant group to draft my new covenant for the year. I will have to inventory my life, especially measure my achievements with regard to last year's covenant, then sign my name as an indicator of my commitment to God. In these new few days I will need to ponder, reflect, pray, be quiet, listen to God's whisper, God's plan for my life. I have to be cautious that I don't storm ahead without regard for God's voice. Otherwise, it will be my plan alone and I can quickly find myself losing steam, forgetting my promise, and failing early on. I know where the power comes from and it's crazy not to tap into it.

In the next few months God and I will climb mountains, wander in the valleys and deserts, swim, and battle the elements. We will encounter obstacles and we will need to find ways to overcome them. We will be challenged, no doubt. But we will have each other and others on whose paths I will travel and strangers who will accompany me. Old friends and new will accompany me. My family will be with me and I will be with them.

Today begins the new year, a brand spanking new year with the God of my hopes.

We will travel together,
you and I.
I trust the paths
will not separate,
with me taking a side path alone.
I want to keep my eye on you;
for I know you keep an eye on me
every moment of every day.
I can't hide from you,
even when I try real hard.
I want to sing with you
the hymns of promise
along my journey,
amazing grace,
my hope is built,
great is thy faithfulness,
for to lift my voice
in song
is to give praise
to my creator.
Together,
Lord,
together,
help me remain
together
this new year,
together
with you.

Love, Andrea