Happy Old Year!

It’s nearly 2017! Yikes! Where has 2016 gone?

We often look to a new year as a source of hope to bring about change in our lives. The new year is going to be great! Out with the old, in with the new! But what about the previous 12 months? What happened in those 365 days? It seems the old year gets kicked to the curb! Didn’t anything good happen in the old year? Why does the new year get all the glory and a party?

Instead of a new year celebration, how about a celebration of the old year? How about a party where everyone congratulates the old year? Yay old year! Good job old year! (can you hear me blowing one of those loud party favor gizmos?) Woo hoo!

You might think I’m kidding here, but I’m really not. It’s rather sad when all we hear is how bad this year was and how much we need a new year to make life all better again. Maybe, just maybe, we don’t need a new year as much as we need a new attitude. If we always focus on the negative, how on earth can we find gratitude in the positive things that come our way?

I get it, really I do. We all have bad days, weeks, or even months. But, we also have good days, weeks, and months! We have a choice. We can look back at the bad times and hope a new year will make it better, or we can look back on the good times and look forward to more of those.

Maybe you’ve had exceptionally bad days. I don’t begin to discount enormous hurt or life altering situations. I don’t expect anyone to celebrate tragedy. If this is you, please send me a private message so I can be in prayer for you. And, if you feel this a safe place, let others know in the comments so we can all be in prayer for you.

 

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

 

Here’s what I’m purposing. Instead of making the usual list of boring new year resolutions, let’s make a list of all the things we are thankful for in the old year? It wasn’t all bad, was it? I’ll start.

I am thankful for many things, but I am most thankful for the ability to love and to be loved by my family, friends and most importantly, my Lord and Savior.

 

If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

 

On a lighter note, I am also quite thankful for coffee, tea, and chocolate. Oh, and peanut butter!

Your turn! What are you remembering from 2016 with fondness and joy and look forward to the same in 2017?

 

Heavenly Father, we thank You for all of the goodness You bring into our lives. We ask for peace and comfort for those who have suffered and struggled of late. Please bring them joy to replace sorrow and pain. Please, Lord, help us to always focus on the more positive side of life and help us to bring light into dark places. In the matchless name of our Lord, Savior, and Friend, amen.

 

In His embrace,

Toni

14 comments to Happy Old Year!

  • Sherry Wauchek  says:

    I am thankful for answered prayer. I am thankful for raising the most wonderful granddaughter in the world. I’m thankful I still have my health to do so. I’m thankful for family and friends.
    New Year’s resolution. I don’t do that. I’m grateful to see a new year and what our Lord has in store for me next.

    • Toni  says:

      I’m thankful for you my friend!!! A new year to see what God wants for and from us indeed.

  • Kay  says:

    2016 was a very hard year, so I’m thankful for God’s constant presence through difficult times!

    • Toni  says:

      Kay,

      I’m so sorry to hear 2016 was hard on you. The good news is you know God is and always will be with you, in good times and bad. I have no doubt, your faith shines brightly as others observe how you handle adversity. As they watch us, so they see the Father’s love.

      May God hold you close and show His purposes to you for the coming year.

      In His embrace,
      Toni

  • Andrea  says:

    I’m thankful that “this old year” is almost over – for me, 2016 was not a great time, having to deal with my mother’s sudden decline in the early part of the year – and then with her death in August

    • Toni  says:

      I’m so sorry Andrea. The beauty I see in you is how, in spite of your own personal loss, you have continued to reach out in Christian love and fellowship to others. Such a beautiful testament of your love of our Savior.

      I am praying for your heart to heal and for the coming year to bring you much joy.

      May God bless you today and always.

      In His embrace,
      Toni

  • johnny  says:

    I’m thankful for my sister Toni.

    • Toni  says:

      And I am thankful for my brother! I love you Johnny!

  • Ally  says:

    I am thankful for new friends and the deepening of my faith through prayer.

    • Toni  says:

      Friends and faith! Two of the most wonderful things God has given us!

      God bless you Ally!

  • Sheila Schweiger-Rhodes  says:

    Where do I begin? Every year has ups and downs. but I agree Toni it is all about the attitude. I am grateful for all the opportunities I had this past year to travel and see family, friends and make new ones too! I’m thankful for so many things and especially our friendship. You are a gift! Without the old, we would have never appreciate the new! Blessings to you my sweet friend and Happy Old New Year to You too!

    • Toni  says:

      Sheila,

      It has been an honor to be on the sideline watching the ups and downs you’ve experienced this past year. One of the many things I love about you is the positive outlook you have even when something goes terribly wrong. You are a joy and I am so very, very thankful for you!

  • Marjorie  says:

    I am a bit behind, but I am glad that 2016 is over. It was a hard year for my family. We lost a son-in-law, and father to five children.
    All I can say is, “Thank God for my faith!”
    There is a plan to all of this, and although I seek to understand (still), I know that God does not and will not desert us!

    • Toni  says:

      Marjorie, I’m so sorry for your family’s loss. I had no idea. God bless you all as you continue to heal.
      And yes, God is always with you now and forever. I will not impose but please call me if you’d like to get together. In the meantime, though I may be late too, I will be in prayer for your family.

      With lots of love,
      Toni

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