New year brings us new hope

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The Bible tells us in Isaiah 43:18-19: “Forget the former things: do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!”

It is an annual ritual of ours to enjoy watching the glittering crystal ball drop, a colorful burst of confetti and dazzling fireworks as they light up the sky in the city of New York and around the world. As the television stations recap highlights of the last 12 months, we usher in the new year with hope and excitement as we say goodbye to the old and welcome in the new.

We can eagerly enter into 2018 by letting go of all of the worries, disappointments, anxieties, regrets and failures that had overcome us in the past year.

In this new year, we can do a new thing — we can hope for change. It’s hope that encourages us to set goals. It’s hope that helps to remind us that last year’s mistakes will not dictate our future. We have a clean slate which we can look forward to a year of renewed hope.

We have a heavenly Father who loves us and we are able to cast all of our cares upon him.

I Peter 5:7 tells us “Give all of your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”

Because of God’s grace we can take inventory of our lives and confess our wrongs and receive forgiveness as we start this new year.

I like this quote by C.S. Lewis… “You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.”

Let yourself embrace the new year, be undefined by the past and unburdened by the future. In 2018 enjoy more laughter, less stress, improved finances, create more memories, and grow closer to our Lord and Savior.

Lamentations 3: 23-24: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning: great is your faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, says my soul, therefore I will have hope in him.”

I am thankful that we can put our hope in God as he will never leave us nor forsake us. His love is everlasting.

I would like to close with a Prayer for the New Year by St. Francis of Assisi:

Lord,

Make me an instrument of your peace;

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

Where there is sadness, joy.

Wishing you all a Blessed New Year!

Veronica Grabill is Chaplain at Clinton Memorial Hospital.

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Veronica Grabill

Contributing columnist

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