My sons will blow out their birthday candles together this year. Both in their twenties, with their birthdays only twenty days apart, they have enjoyed a month of festivities ever since those Augusts they were born. However, this will be the first time they share a cake. While they live in the same city as us, making plans is getting trickier for the four of us to get together during special occasions. I won’t say that with each passing year, they drift farther from their mom and dad, but they have their own sphere of existence that requires less attention from us. Our babies have grown up.
When we gather around the glowing candles, we could unexpectedly shout, “Happy New Year!” instead of “Happy Birthday!” While we might receive puzzled looks, both sentiments apply. As we acknowledge the days of their birth, we also celebrate a year past with its history and a year ahead with its surprises. Will this year include new jobs, special love interests, or different living arrangements? As they blow out the flickering candles, laughing, probably high-fiving each other, they won’t know what the future has in store. Whether their candle wishes come true or not, there is the potential for many happy days in the year ahead.
As we prepare to welcome new students in our classrooms in the next few days, I could similarly greet my colleagues with, “Happy New Year!” We will embrace many changes together: new staff members, renovations in the learning environment, and new students to mentor. Within the next ten months, there is the potential for many fabulous days with my co-workers and the children.
Our recent teaching experiences included many uncontrollable circumstances, such as teaching online during a pandemic, transitioning back to school with health and safety protocols, and remaining indoors because of poor air quality or severe storms. As we started each school year, no one could predict the upcoming challenges. Our responses to those hardships varied, as did our state of mind.
How do we face those unknowns after a birthday? Or as we begin new chapters like school, getting married, having a new baby, changing jobs, or the dark journeys of loss or disappointment? How do we cope with the new year and its imminent changes?
We wish for happiness for others in our salutations. We say “Happy Birthday,” “Happy New Year,” “Happy Anniversary,” and “Happy Retirement.” Yet, so many things jeopardize our happiness—events we can’t control.
There is one thing we can control: our relationship with God—the One who governs everything. In trusting God with our circumstances, we trade our worries for peace and hope. What is the alternative? Trying to solve all our problems on our own? Depending on other people to bail us out? Drowning our disappointments and unhappiness with unhealthy vices?
Without God in our lives, facing a new year can be scary. But when the Creator of the Universe holds our hand, jumping into the unknown can be an adventure. God will give us strength at the time that we need it. He will grant us peace when everything around us falls apart. In God, there is hope.
Are you about to embrace the journey of a new year? Are you trusting God to see you through the hard times and celebrate with you in the good? What’s holding you back?
Father, I thank You for being my Rock. Thank You for walking this life with me and giving me everything I need to make the best of it. Thank You for each new year and season You allow me to experience. Thank You for peace and hope. When my own strength fails, thank You for picking me up and carrying me in Your strong arms. Thank You for loving me and caring about my day-to-day journey. Amen.
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Val's Stage 
Nice writing…..so true. We start another New Year. Never be th
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