Considering the past year...

One might ask, "Are you better off today than you were a year ago?"

I don't mean that as a political question. I'm asking about you, the person. How have your experiences this past year shaped and affected you?

We all choose how we respond to whatever, or whomever, comes our way. Our responses often determine the rest of the journey. Each event is like a stone that starts rolling: at first we can shape where the stone will go, but, once it has momentum, and depending on incline, weight and speed, it will go where it's going to go and stop where it's going to stop.

A good friend recently took delivery of some hay 'rounds' that are much bigger and heavier than hay bales. She decided to allow them to roll towards where she hoped they would go, but alas, they had a different destination in mind. Blessedly, only a fence was flattened and no one got hurt, including the 'round'. But...

It could have been much worse.

Consider this new year as a time to use all the experience you've gained in life to not set so many stones a rollin', or assume they'll end up where you want them. Wisdom will, at the very least, help you determine which stones to roll, and where to roll them. Make wise choices. If you don't know what to do, don't do anything. Seek good counsel until you know what to do.

(And, some stones will start rolling that you had nothing to do with; you'll have to decide whether you're getting out of the way or getting steam rolled.)

Each day seems to be getting darker and darker, and for many it's more difficult to see the right path than it was ten years ago. The Word of God will help light your path, but many times not more than a few feet in front of you; just enough to keep you from walking off a cliff. But, the path lit by the light of God's Word will guide to you the right destination. Learn to walk in that kind of light and not the floodlights the world offers.

I pray that you, as a person, are better off today than you were a year ago, and I pray you'll be able to say the same thing this time next year. Walk with Him and listen to Him. He won't steer you wrong.

Have a blessed time with family and friends.