On this last day of the decade, I’m reflecting on how fast time flies. It seems like only yesterday we celebrated the new millennium and now it has been twenty years! How did that happen?

Think back to New Year’s Eve in 2009… What were you doing? Where were you? What were the biggest things in your life? What was your biggest worry? Are those same worries even on your radar today? When the new decade arrived in 2010, my main worries were focused on my career (work issues), long-term finances (retirement), and a new house under construction. None of these hit my radar today. Now, the things on my mind revolved around my 7 grandchildren (we had only one when 2010 arrived), health issues (staying active and dealing with normal aging concerns), and mundane, day-to-day items (improving my golf swing). It is amazing how a measly 10 years can change our total focus. So, as we are perched on the edge of a new year and new decade today, let me just throw out a few observations that I’m sure all of us experience and most of us might be feeling today:

1. Time provides a great perspective on what is really important and what is not – Those things that were most important to us a decade – or even a year ago – are no longer that important. Things change. When you are faced with multiple priorities and a busy schedule, ask yourself, “Will this really even matter a year from now? Or, a decade from now?” We need to keep things in perspective and continually remind ourselves to focus on those things of utmost importance – everything else is secondary.
2. The years tend to shift our focus from enhancing our own situation to that of others – Isn’t it amazing how, as we advance in our years or our career, our focus tends to shift to making a difference to others? Serving others matters. Someone once said, “You can’t say that you’ve had a good day unless you’ve done something for someone else that could never repay you.” What is it that you can do for someone else today or this week or this new year?
3. ‘Flexibility and elasticity’ often trump ‘plans and expectations’ – No matter how well we plan, things change. Planning is good provided it helps keep you on track. But, we can never develop an over-reliance on our “plan.” Knowing that change is inevitable can help us develop the skills of flexibility and elasticity. Yes, that’s right… these are skills that we can develop and enhance. Learning to “go with the flow” and make the best of a bad situation can provide important survival skills when you are faced with adversity.
4. Don’t overthink the future – Analysis paralysis is the reason many individuals fail to act when needed. The future will come whether we prepare or not… it will come whether we are ready or not… it will come whether we want it to or not. Don’t over-analyze.
5. Enjoy the journey and stop focusing so much on your destination – Likewise, take time to enjoy life as it comes. I know too many people that are so focused on retirement (or some other life event) that they fail to enjoy what is happening right now. As a result, they miss those important early years of their children or special times with their spouse. Don’t miss it!
6. Expect the unexpected and plan for it – Understand that something unexpected will happen in 2020. It won’t go just as you hope or plan. Knowing this can help you make mid-course adjustments, when needed. Who knows… that unexpected thing happening next year just might be the best thing that has ever happened to you!
7. There is always time to love, to show kindness, and to appreciate goodness – In this new year coming up, why not re-commit to showing love, kindness, and goodness more? Why not consider doing some act of kindness every day? Why not make this a priority to your life? I can guarantee you this… when you commit to demonstrating love and kindness on an everyday basis, the payback to you will be more than you could ever imagine. Challenge me on this… see if you get more from this than you could ever give.
8. Worry really is really just a lack of trust in God – Consider this example I just heard from my Pastor… What if someone you love said they love every thing about you? What if you were the best thing that had ever occurred to them? What if they loved you more than anything else? BUT… they said they couldn’t trust you. How would you feel? That is how we often treat God. We say we love Him and we want to know Him more and better. Yet, we don’t trust Him in the details of our life. Think about it. When we truly trust Him, the worry that we often experience seems to dissipate. Give Him a chance to take away our anxiety. His Word (I Peter 5:7) says, “Cast all your cares on Him because He loves you.”

Time marches on…. Today is a good day to look ahead, but let’s not forget the lessons of the past. And, above all else, cherish today because this is the only day promised to us.

Have a great end to 2019 and I hope 2020 is your best year yet!

It’s occurring again this year. Strangers hug in the streets. Smells are more distinct and intense than any other time of the year. Children clean their rooms without being told. The music sounds better, the sun shines brighter, and smiles come easier than any other time of year. Christmastime is special… almost magical. Why is that?

To many, Christmas is special because of the memories. My parents loved Christmas. We had plenty of presents, candy, cookies, decorations, lights, and lots of fun around our house. We were often awake most of the night on Christmas Eve in anticipation. When given a chance, almost everyone has multiple favorite memories of Christmas when they were children or when their own children were small.

To others, Christmas is special because of the traditions. Nearly everyone has a routine that occurs every year… without fail. Around our house, Christmas Eve always includes church service and a few specific food items afterward. Knowing that you’ll be enjoying familiar activities, events, and foods with loved ones truly does make Christmas special, but are they what makes Christmas “magical?”

To others, Christmas means they will see loved ones that they may only see rarely or not at all the rest of the year. To them, Christmas simply may mean “going home.” Perhaps, Christmas is special because it seems that people more readily express their love during these few weeks. Somehow, it is just easier and, possibly, expected that we express it more just because it is Christmas.

Possibly, Christmas is special because it reminds us of people lost from our lives. We remember times past surrounded by those we loved and miss. To have one more Christmas with them…

Christmas is special, alright, because of all these reasons. But, what is it that makes all of this happen. What is that “magical” piece that turns enemies into friends, strangers into buddies, sadness into smiles, and desperation into joy during Christmastime?

To me, the “magic” that makes Christmas special is the “light” that has come into darkness. For most people, the world can be a dark place. Just in 2019, we have witnessed many tragedies, both natural and man-made; hatred is the norm, not the exception; people live without hope; people are hurting; the future appears ominous. The world seems to be dark, lonely, and depressing. BUT, Christmas shines a “light” on that darkness. Christmas turns that dreary, cloudy world in which we live into one of beautiful sunshine… a place with hope and gives us a reason to believe in a happier, better future… if only for the season. The “light” of Christmas, of course, is Jesus Christ. When God sent Him into this dark, bleary world, He gave hope; He gave a reason for living; and He gave us a future that we can anticipate with gladness. God’s gift of Jesus was a gift of love. Because “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us,” we have a reason to rejoice… a reason to hope… a source of peace… and, a way to be reconciled to God.

“This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all.” – I John 1:5 – 

The “light” of Christmas (Jesus Christ) turns even a sinful, hateful, hopeless world into a special place at Christmas. And to those that accept Jesus as God’s Son, as Lord, and as Savior, the “light” of Christmas can shine in your life eternally. The presence of Jesus in your life will change you into a person with eternal hope and a new purpose for living.

“For God so loved the world that He gave his only Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.” – John 3:16

God’s Word says simply that all who believe that Jesus is God’s Son and that He gave His own life to pay our debt will inherit everlasting life. That’s it… believe and receive.

I think we all wish that it could be Christmastime all year round. The joy we feel during this time of year can make us forget our challenges, our sorrow, and our loneliness. When we accept the “light” of Christmas as a gift from God, we can have that “light” illuminating our lives every day of our lives… and, into an eternal future with Him.

Merry Christmas! May you experience the hope, peace, love, and joy of God through His “light” this year!

Are you striving to just get through today? Is your life marked by expectation and anticipation? Do you appreciate the opportunities that come with each new day? Are you assuming that tomorrow will be just like today? Here are a few thoughts that just might help you reset your perspective:

• It was just an ordinary rock… until my grandchild turned it into a work of art
• He thought he would work there until he retired… until his job was ‘rationalized’
• It was just a date… until I fell in love and she changed my life forever
• She thought it was just a lump… until it wasn’t
• He awoke to just another ordinary day… until it became his best day yet
• An ordinary phone call… became the best news she ever received
• A simple act of kindness… changed the life of a distraught woman
• The smile of a child… made him forget all his own problems
• He yelled, “See you tomorrow”, but… tomorrow never came
• It was just another night… until worry and fret pushed any chance for sleep away
• I dreaded the day… until it produced my new best friend
• I feared the unknown… until it became the best time of my life
• Sunday night brought anxiety and worry… until she decided that was no way to live
• It was just a few snowflakes… that turned into lifelong memories that we still smile about today

“Men spend their lives in anticipations, in determining to be vastly happy at some period or other, when they have time; but the present time has an advantage over every other–it is our own.”  – Charles Caleb Colton, Lacon

Today is the only day that we are promised. We have a duty – not only to ourselves, but to everyone we know – to make the very best of this gift of a day.

“Oh the places you’ll go! There is fun to be done! There are points to be scored. There are games to be won. And the magical things you can do with that ball will make you the winning-est winner of all.”  ― Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You’ll Go!

One day, the last time will really be the last time. So, make the most of this time we have.

What are you looking forward to? Is there anything coming in your life that, once you experience it or achieve it, will be cause for celebration and excitement like you might see for Baseball’s World Series champions?

Let’s not just try to get through another day. Let’s not take today for granted. Let’s look for opportunities to share a kind word, experience a smile, or make a difference for someone else. Don’t just let today happen – make it an experience to be savored and remembered. After all, today just might be our best day yet! There is still a chance, so keep you eyes open and your head up and expect the unexpected!