“For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?” Luke 14:28
Happy New Year! It seems impossible that we are at the beginning of yet another new year. It seems like just yesterday we were celebrating 2022 and now here it is 2023. Each New Year brings an opportunity for a new start. They mark perfect times to take the time to consider where we are, where we want to be and then what we need to do to get to where we want to be.
In this New Year and in the season of life I am in, I am reflecting on what the next stage of life will be for me as I will retire in about 3.5 years. Some of you may be thinking that is a long time away and I have plenty of time to make my decisions…but 3.5 years will go by fast and before you know it, I will find myself waking up to my first day of retirement. I don’t want to do that without a plan in place. I want to be intentional about what I do when I have the time I long for to do all the things I enjoy but don’t have the time I would like to dedicate to “all the things.”
I also want to plan for what this New Year will look like for me and my family. What do I want to accomplish this year? Where do I want to travel? And other self-help improvements I am considering. And no, I don’t do resolutions. But I do plan. I find that putting plans into place, I accomplish more than when I just let life happen. Although there are times when a day to do nothing or anything that comes up is nice too. Remember that while we may not be building a tower, we are building a life filled with memories.
Here is the important bit of advice we should all keep in mind about planning: Planning is not a bad thing as long as those plans remain flexible. We can plan all we want but none of us, have any clue about what the next few years will bring into our lives. None of us have a magic crystal ball that will reveal what tomorrow will bring. That is actually a good thing. Because if we did have a crystal ball we would never be surprised or we would live in fear of the bad days we know are coming.
And here is the important part, no matter what we plan or try to accomplish, I know that God will sustain us in all things. God will give us the strength we need to get through, to enjoy, or to cry as we experience this wonderful life we have. As the next twelve months stretch out before us, keep in mind that each day is a gift we are given and we can choose how to use them. Some days will be filled with work, so I pray your job is enjoyable. Some days will be set aside for play, so I pray your days of fun are filled with joy and happiness. Some days will be taken up with colds or other health related stuff…I pray they are few and mild. Whatever your days bring and whatever activities you may choose to fill your days, may God be with you, and bless each day.
Peace,
Pastor Beth
Beth's Blog 