Out with the old?
You load sixteen tons, what do you get?
Another day older and deeper in debt.
Saint Peter, don’t you call me ‘cause I
can’t go—
I owe my soul to the company store.
--Tennessee Ernie Ford
Since when did “we” decide that
anything old is worth less than anything new? It seems like every few months, a
brand new [fill in the blank] comes out, and we are encouraged to replace
whatever we have. Newer! Bigger!
Better? Maybe—or maybe not.
This time of year, we tend to
stop and reflect on what’s happened over the past year or so that’s broken, and
make promises (aka resolutions) that
next year, things (and we) will be different. But right now, instead of looking
for the bad things to get rid of, pause and reflect on the ways you are
different in a better way that you
were a year ago. Ask yourself:
When did I smooth the path for someone who can’t return the
favor?
How have I changed my relationship with the Divine? (Or
have I? Should I?)
Have I loved someone whom I might have seen as unlovable in
the past? (Maybe even myself?)
Have I allowed myself to be loved?
Leave behind what you no longer
need—but don’t jettison everything,
just because it’s old. How will your life honor God in 2018?
Monday, (Happy
2018—we made it!) We have journeyed through familiar stories. Ponder what
you would offer this unknown Child born of Mary. What’s keeping you from
offering this gift to God? Matthew 2:1-6
Tuesday Imagine the various travelers in the
narratives—Mary and Joseph, shepherds, Kings—and their willingness to follow
without question. Pray for a more willing heart. Matthew 2:7-12
Wednesday Matthew writes of Joseph, Mary and the
infant escaping into Egypt. Pause today and pray for the safety of refugees
around the world and in your city. Matthew
2:13-15
Thursday Pray today for children who are victims
of violence and human trafficking. Pray for eyes wide open to see. Matthew 2:16-18
Friday Pray for world leaders and those in
positions of power. Pray for wisdom, compassion and generosity of spirit. Matthew 2:19-23
Saturday As you pray for yourself, thank God for
the unique gifts you possess. Ask God to show you how these gifts can be
employed to usher in the Reign of God. Matthew
3:1-12
Sunday Meditate on these words: “This is my
child, whom I love. In him [or in her] I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:16-17
And now we welcome the new year. Full of
things that have never been.
–Rainer Marie Rilke
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