A New Year’s Reflection – 1/1/2020
Of all the Lord’s blessings that He has given, the one that I am most likely to take for granted, but still very much appreciate, is that of New Year’s Day. I say that because it’s only one day a year amongst the other 364 days of busyness and preoccupation with things to do and places to go. Though easily forgotten after it has passed, for me this day has always been one of quiet reflection. It is a pause day. It is a day of assessment. It is a day to reset.
This holiday is like the old magic slates we would write upon as children with our wooden leadless pencils or fingertips. We would draw and write and scribble. And when we made a mistake, or were disappointed in our image-drawn, or tired, we would lift the waxed paper to see all of our little thoughts and and poorly drawn images effortlessly lifted away to disappear, left to discover a fresh page on which to write our futures.
New Year’s Day is like that magic slate for me. I look back upon the previous year’s activities and preoccupations, its successes and disappointments, the joys and sorrows; and though all will be gratefully remembered, it is time today to lift the paper, to start with a fresh page, to begin a new year. It is to be given the gift of anticipation and expectation for what might be. It is to slowly unwrap a fresh bundle of opportunity and hopefulness. It is to write a fresh page.
And as we begin to write the story of another year, a gradual sense of resolve emerges. From the ashes of yesteryear’s misgivings emerges a hopeful resolve. Wistful musings tease our thoughts to imagine what might lay beyond this day. What forks in the road will cause me to ponder my next steps? Upon which stones will I stumble? How many sunrises will I enjoy? What dreams will I pursue?
New Year’s Day seems like when a year chooses to pause, as though catching its breath before the unfolding of its next days. But more than that, it is a day that offers new beginnings..new hopes and dreams. A fresh start, a new page.