Charity opened her diary for what she expected to be one last time in 2020.
She looked at the blank pages. One after another for the last month the pages were blank.
She closed the diary.
Standing up, she crossed to her dresser and picked up the newspaper.
“Another “166 people Dead as the Pandemic Continues to Reign.”
One solitary tear escaped the corner of her eye and made it’s way down her cheek.
So much loss. So much pain. So much devastation.
“Yep 2020. You didn’t bring any of the things we had looked forward to. New Year’s Day can’t come soon enough.”
Even with that thought came the next negative one right on top of it.
“How is the change of a date going to make any difference on our future?”
Then, for the first time in a long time she heard a voice of hope deep inside her.
“Because with the change of a date comes hope of something new.”
“Where did the tradition of writing New Year’s Resolutions come from anyway?” she continued to think, “Resolve…a commitment to continue a good practice or change a behavior or do something to improve my life.”
Charity crossed back to her diary. She flipped pass the last month of blank pages and stared at the last page. She picked up her pen and wrote largely……HOPE.
Maybe the problem wasn’t so much the disease, although it was a tragedy. Perhaps the problem was in her own attitude.
“Today I am responsible for one thing…how I look at the events of my life. I can choose to find the positive. I can choose to look at the events in the world realizing that none of this is a surprise to God and humbly give Him this day of my life…. or I can wallow in what I have lost and blame Him.”
RESOLVE
She paused for a moment and almost laughed out loud. “Why did it take me so long to remember, Lord? Every breath I have is only because it comes from You. If the sun shines or rain and snow comes it is only because of You. You, Creator, Healer, Sustainer, Maker, Artist, Savior.”
Charity closed the diary and stood up straighter. “I don’t have to wait until Midnight to start. I’m going to cling to Hope right now and through each day of the new year. Hope that we will gain control of the virus. Hope that our nation can be healed from the unrest and ugliness that has held us captive. Hope that I can make a difference.”
How are you going to look at 2021?
Thank you, God, for another year that you have given us. May we all sing Your praises with anticipation of another year to serve You.
Happy New Year.
I’d love to hear what words you have chosen to represent your 2021!
Until next time!
P.S. Charity is a character from a book I started years ago….Should I ever finish it?? What should happen to Charity….
From the Wings 