Looking Forward

This evening, New Years Eve, I am remembering last year, and also contemplating what lies ahead. The headlines in my mailbox offered by National Geographic were depressing to say the least. They believe that the virus will be with us forever, and that it will keep mutating until the whole world is vaccinated.  Basically, they were without hope. This doesn’t surprise me since the stand they would take would be void of God, His amazing creation, and the real hope He alone offers. After all, what does man know?

 As the Psalmist aptly puts it:

 Psa 8:3  When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;

Psa 8:4  What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

 And we are not to assume we know the future, and plan too far in advance, especially planning for something bad to happen as the news and media seem to enjoy doing!

 Pro 27:1  Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

It is certain we have absolutely no idea WHEN the pandemic will end and HOW it will end. So-called experts have been wrong about just about everything so far, and many would agree that the news is biased and is not a reliable source at all.  Personally, I believe the world cannot sustain such a dire situation that is this destructive on every level.  It will end when God says it will, not man.  This isn’t to say natural disasters and other destructive things won’t play a part. Anything can happen, but it is all in God’s hands.  Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 say that there is a time for everything; a beginning and an ending to each situation.  Our times and our days are ordered by the Lord.  I find that very comforting.

 Psa 37:23  The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.

 So where does this leave us? For me, it means to seek after and treasure the things that truly count and make a difference. I think of loving and trusting God, loving others, treating others as I want to be treated, and even better if I can manage it. It is enjoying the simpler things in life, appreciating good health, family, good friends, and some outings. It is being thankful for everything, including that I still live in a free country even though we live with some restrictions. It is putting on a happy face while in a long line up in the grocery store. It is complimenting someone who needs a hug. Etc.

 What will your New Year look like? No one can steal our goals, hopes, dreams and joy unless we let them. For me, I plan on having a wonderful new year 2022. I’m going to work at nailing it every day.

 God Bless You, dear family, friends and readers. Have a very Happy & Prosperous New Year.