HAPPY New Years!

I wrote about Christmas during the first half of November and Thanksgiving the Monday after, so I figured the first half of December was a great time to write about New Years!  Sound about right?

One of my biggest complaints about all of the above holidays is that they all happen so close together. I never fly home for Thanksgiving since I'll be home again a scant 4 weeks later. And I never have enough time to plan for NYE because I'm busy with Christmas. And mostly, I miss the opportunity to ponder the coming year properly. In my perfect world, I'd spend 2-3 weeks contemplating and praying about the new year while reviewing the old year. Thus, I'm taking a moment to pause here and do just that.

If I had to choose one word to describe 2011 in my life, the word I'd choose is RENEWAL. There were so many parts of my spiritual and emotional life that were tired and dry and I didn't even know it. So many places begging for renewal, for fresh life. God spent the year answering prayers I didn't know how to pray. He is so good to me when I have done nothing to deserve it.

I'm not a superstitious person, but I love how my birthday sounds this coming year. It's making me feel like it will be an amazing year overall. Like the whole year will be a birthday gift (my 2011 birthday was pretty sweet, so I'm down for that!)  10/12/2012  Ten twelve twenty twelve. See what I mean? It just sounds cool.

With the renewal that has been happening in me, I feel a sense of HOPE for the coming year that I haven't felt in some time. HOPE combating all the sadness and darkness and everydayness.

Take some time to still your heart this Christmas season and ponder the coming and going years.

My prayer for you:

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

 ~Traditional Irish Blessing