A New Year Begins
The first month of our calendar year is named January after Janus, a god in Greek mythology. This is especially fitting as he was the two-faced god who had one face looking ahead and one face looking back. He is the god of beginnings and endings, of gates and doors.
With the arrival of January first, 2008 came to an end and 2009 began. We can look back on the past year with its joys and sorrows and hope that we are better because of them. Hopefully, too, the past year has been a time of growth — spiritually, physically, intellectually and emotionally. How many gates stood between us and our dreams? Did we have the courage and strength to open them? How many doors opened for us? Did we bravely go through them or did we turn aside?
We have the ability to look back – to savor the good memories and to be grateful that we survived the tough times. Perhaps we wonder how different our lives might have been if we had accepted some of the challenges. Ever since Hurricane Katrina hit in September of ’05, a group of volunteers from Lord of Life Lutheran Church have been spending a week around Thanksgiving in Biloxi, Miss helping the people rebuild their homes and their lives. They have been so successful they have moved on to Bay St. Louis this past year. A similar group of volunteers from Holy Angels has gone to Bay St. Louis ever since 2005. This is a tremendous gift of time and energy. Not everyone can do that but those who could and did felt humbled and blessed by the experience.
As we look back, perhaps we see opportunities we did not recognize – doors waiting for us to open. Life is an adventure, but I fear we are often so busy we miss opportunities for growth, for fulfillment. Sometimes, too, we can be drugged by television instead of expanding and enjoying our own lives.
At the start of the new year, many people make resolutions to change, to improve their lives. Looking back gives us an opportunity to decide what worked for us and what did not. What can we do differently to make our lives better, to make this a better world? What did we neglect doing that would have made a difference?
Often, when we try something new it is like throwing a pebble in a brook – ripples widen around it, changing the surface of the water. With each new activity that I have started, unexpected adventures broadened my life. Becoming a member of the cast of Tetelestai strengthened my faith and the cast and crew have become an extended family whom I care about and who care about me. I have met people all over northeastern Ohio and in Virginia near D.C. It has taken me inside a maximum security prison (How my kids enjoyed telling people their mother was “in jail” that weekend!). I pray that I have been a small part of reaching others with the story of the passion, death and resurrection of our Lord.
Being an elf on the Polar Express has brought me the joy of knowing that my efforts helped hundreds of children and adults experience a magical train ride. In the process, I have made many new friends. Singing with the Holy Angels choir (it took courage to join them as I admired them for so long!) has helped me to grow spiritually and to feel closer to God. It is rewarding to be a part of the CDs the choir makes and such fun to sing the National Anthem before Indians’ games! I feel Christie, our choir director, and the choir members are an extended family who surround me with love and goodness. Being a part of Holy Ground book club and Brown Baggers card players bring interesting and fun people.
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These articles are published in the Spirit of Bainbridge every three weeks, and mailed to every home and business in Auburn and Bainbridge Townships (zip code 44023).
Additional copies are distributed locally at Arabica, Bainbridge Library, Lowe’s Greenhouse, Sirna’s Market & Deli and other locations in Auburn, Aurora, Bainbridge, Chagrin Falls, Chesterland, Solon and South Russell.
Approximately 7,300 copies of Spirit of Bainbridge are circulated.
Tags: inspire motivate, new year