Don't Write 2019 in Olde English Script

     This is the first Sunday of the new year.  There has never been a 2019 A.D. This year is brand new. The calendar rolling over is always a chance to mentally renegotiate with yourself. There are certainly things of the past that we want to keep, cherish and honor.  For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne (whatever that means).

    But don’t stay stuck in the past with your same fears, bad attitudes and negative thinking. God is doing so many wonderful things in our church family right now. Make a resolution to joyfully join in and see what he will do this year in your life.

     Make some personal resolutions. Don’t worry about what you    haven’t gotten done yet in life. Pick up where you are! You are not too young. You are not too old. God is always making all things NEW.

     My favorite “Dear Abby” of all time went something like this: “Dear Abby, I have always wanted to go to law school. My family encourages me to go. But I am thirty-eight years old. In three years, I will be forty-one! What should I do?” Abby’s response is brilliant and so encouraging.  “How old will you be in three years, if you don’t go to law school?”  That’s great! Go for it! Let’s take that attitude with us into this year.

     Friday, I have a birthday. It one of the big ones. And no, I’m not  going to be a hundred.  But it is the one where I get to go on Medicare.  Actually, that does sound like a hundred. But life here with God, my family and all of you is still so great. I thought that I was finished with full-time preaching. God had other plans. And I am so excited about the future we have together.

     Most of you are younger than I am. Some of you are older than I am. That’s irrelevant. I want God to use you in powerful ways until he takes you home. I want you to be a thriving part of this church family. I want that for myself too. Don’t let age or physical limitations or lack of talent in some areas keep you from joyfully doing all you can do in the kingdom of God. You are part of the body. You are just like God needs you to be.  

     Do what YOU can. Celebrate that. Don’t worry about what others can or cannot do.  

     You be the best you in 2019. That’s what the church and God and YOU need from YOU.

     I just checked that Medicare card.  It’s not in Olde English script.