Have you looked at your Top Nine Post yet? That seems to be the popular thing this time of year. By now you are thinking about your future and hoping for the best. It’s perfectly natural as we end one year to more on to the next. But do you ever say good bye to the old year? Close out the good and the bad the year had for you?

Top 16 in 2018

In my church growing up we had a service one year when I was a teenager and it was so powerful. It was at 5:00pm New Year’s Eve in the sanctuary. We opened in prayer sang hymns and everything you would expect in a service. Until the ushers passed out paper to everyone to write down regrets, sins, grudges, and anything holding us back from a fresh start in the new year. As we made our way to the alter for communion there was a small fire pit with a fire. We were to throw our past into the fire so that we could walk into the new year with a fresh start. I think of that service every year on New Year’s Eve. I attempt to write down my regrets, sins, grudges, and anything holding me back as I journal. Then each year I shred the previous year’s journal. Each year I think I will burn it in my fire pit outside. It is raining again this year.

Top 24 in 2018

Yesterday was the last Sunday of the year. I could not think of a better scripture ending the year and leading up to Epiphany:

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:12-17

Happy New Year

💗,

Julie

PS: Top 4 in 2018: Faith & Family