A NEW YEAR

I had watched as my sisters and brother went off to school every day, and I could hardly wait for my turn. On my first day of school, my sisters and I started out to meet the school bus. But suddenly I was afraid. I told my sisters I had decided to stay home. They argued and pled, but I was not going.

Finally, they had to go on or miss the bus, so they sent me back home to Mother, who was totally surprised to see me. Then Daddy came in from the ranch and—after the spanking—drove me to school.

A new era can be exciting and it can be frightening. That’s true today, as we start an uncharted, untried year. What will 2008 bring? We don’t know, but with God, all is well.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)

A YEAR ENDS

When I was growing up my family lived far out in the country where my father was a ranch foreman. He always had to get up early, as is typical of farmers and ranchers, so it had never been the practice of our family to stay up late, even to see in a new year.

But when I was thirteen our family moved into town. I was thrilled when a friend invited me to a New Year’s Eve party, but I didn’t think my dad would approve. But my friend lived only a few houses away, and my parents knew his parents. Mother and Daddy talked it over and gave their approval.

I was excited. This was my first experience with seeing an old year out and a new one in. It was a great feeling when the moment finally came when one year ended and another began. I felt I had seen history in the making.

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Psalm 90:12 (KJV)