Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
    for his compassions never fail.
 They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness..

Lamentations 3:22-23

The family laughed over breakfast about the first bacon of the new year, the first text message, the first football game, etc. Each was followed by a daughter’s very good imitation of a trumpet sounding.

New Year’s Day always feel light, unencumbered. All things are possible as I open the new calendar with snow-white pages that invite adventure.

On a brief walk in the sunshine, the feeling was festive. Greetings were shared with all we met. Happy New Year! Beaming grandparents paraded by with their grandbabies. Pet parents did likewise. One of our best neighborhood gardeners was pruning roses.

As one would expect, the struggles of 2023 haven’t all evaporated. There is a chance that one of our number is getting sick. Lord, please not COVID. Plans still hang in the air only half formed. Arthritic fingers still ache. But those things seem less important today.

As I thought about the inevitable discussion of resolutions, it occurred to me that most resolutions are about more. More exercise, more self-control, more travel, more reading, more socializing. I wondered what it would look like to resolve to do less but with intentionality. Less worrying. Less consumption of all kinds. Focusing less on me and more on others, on what God calls me to do.

As a pastor friend says – pondering. Meantime, I want to savor the day and leaf through my new planner, considering what to write on the vision board.

Be thou my vision, oh Lord of my heart.

Happy New Year!