The calendar flips over,
another year
rises and fades,
deepest of sorrows,
highest of joys,
loved ones lost
and gained,
births and deaths,
dreams born,
dreams deceased,
the ups and downs,
ins and outs,
hopes and fears,
opportunities and trials,
life lived where shalom is
shattered.
The rich and poor,
strong and weak,
young and old,
known and unknown,
no matter who,
no matter where,
no matter when,
no matter how,
have been faced with inescapable
limits
of power,
of wisdom,
of control,
of goodness,
but there are reasons
to smile
to sing
to celebrate
to give
to serve
to do what is right
to be thankful
to love
to give grace,
not because of trials
sustained,
not because of successes
accomplished,
not because a new year has
come.
There is one who
has been with you
through it all,
lavishly generous,
amazing in grace,
abounding in love,
unequaled in power,
perfect in faithfulness.
As the calendar flips over,
another year
rises and fades,
he is yet with you.
His mercies are still
new.
His grace is still
sufficient.
He is worthy of your
trust.
His ways are always
good.
He is the reason to
celebrate.
Your hope is not to be found
in the new days
that lie ahead,
but in the greatest of gifts
ever given,
Him.