I am always intentional about getting my new calendar each
year. I look and look for the perfect
one (well at least the perfect one that is already 50% off). This year my calendar has pictures of
beautiful scenes across our country-from east coast lighthouses to the redwoods
on the west!
I sat down yesterday on New Year’s Eve to begin my annual
“dating of the calendar”. The completely
blank calendar began to come alive as birthdays, anniversaries, and
celebrations were given their respective places. As I filled in these future time events it
became clear to me that some things had changed so dramatically since last
year.
Some birthdays were on the 2017 calendar that had not been
there the year before and some birthdays won’t be there that were there this
last year. We never know at the
beginning of the year what events will fill in those boxes and what changes we
will see.
How appropriate it is for us to consider on this first day
of the first month of a new year that “In the beginning God…” “He is before all things and by Him all
things hold together.” It came to me
this morning that time is for us--people.
God doesn’t need time. As the
Bible says “a thousand years is as a day and a day is as a thousand years” to
Him. He created the world in a
timely way…for us. Each day and night
were given to His creation as a marking.
The years and the seasons are all a gift from Him. It’s not just on January 1 that we get a new
start but each day is a gift and an opportunity to be an agent of grace to His
creation.
I enjoy filling in my calendar as I look forward to a new
year. It helps me focus and stay at
least a little organized. Even then,
there will be "scratch out’s" as appointments change or unexpected events
occur. Post-It notes will be placed on
pages as even more colorful reminders to keep me on task. The following scripture is a good word for
me, for all of us, as we begin a new year.
How humbling to know He made it for us BUT it’s not about us.
“Many
are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will
stand.” Proverbs 19:21
Happy
2017!
Lan - I enjoyed this! How funny that it popped up just as I was filling out my own calendar! Happy New Year to you and your family!
ReplyDeleteAs part of our Christmas gifts to our kids, Larry's parents and my mom, I design a calendar every year with family birthdays & anniversaries along with pictures from the previous year. Then, I also complete my schedule. The scripture you quote became especially meaningful to me two years ago today. I am so blessed with the knowledge that His plans are meaningful...full of grace, mercy, wisdom and direction. Happy New Year!!!
ReplyDeleteSuch a great post. Very emotional thinking about how the year will be different in 2017. Love you!!
ReplyDelete