"New Years Resolutions"

Next week it will be 2010, another year has slipped away, and now we must wonder what the future holds for us. I will be celebrating another birthday in the next few days, entering my "golden years" so to speak, and I am realizing it now whether you want it or not God forces some wisdom on you. Of course some folks call my wisdom mindless rambling, I'll just chalk that up to youthful inexperience. When I was a teen I believed I could solve the worlds problems single handed, everything that was wrong was the fault of the rich and powerful, now I'll admit some rich and powerful people have done some bad things, but they can't be blamed for it all. I'm sure there are a few poor folks and some middle class folks that have done some of the damage in today's world too. Each of us has an effect on everyone we come in contact with on a daily basis, no matter how slight we think it might be. Remember the movie "It's a Wonderful Life", the entire theme of the film is the impact of one man on the lives of many. The lead character George Baily had spent his entire life looking out for the needs of others even when it interfered with the direction he wished for his own life. As most of you know the story George gets into a situation where he could go to prison through no fault of his own, and he is given the gift of seeing the world as if he never existed. The impact he made through his sacrifices was astounding, and even though he was facing possible prison George begged God to give him his life back as it was. We all know George got a happy ending, which is usually standard in Hollywood, yet we must remember in life a happy ending isn't guaranteed. We are given a chance when we are born, given by God, a chance to do the right thing, to give of ourselves, to put others needs ahead of our own. Oftener then not we don't take the high road, this is not a judgement it is a truth, we are all basically selfish people, me included. I'm from a generation who wanted to know "What's in it for me?", and the answer is sometimes nothing. The Bible says "Don't store your treasures here on earth where they will rust and burn", everything we hold dear, cars, homes, property, and wealth is all just temporary and will pass away with time. The only thing that one really leaves behind is how he impacted the lives of others, it is the only thing of real value that we have to give. Look to your children, grand-children, sisters and brothers, and see if you have done anything to influence their lives in a positive manner. As this new year approaches we all make promises to change, yet most of us give them up in a few weeks; this year vow to make a difference in the lives of others. It doesn't mean you have to get a "Nobel Prize",all you have to do is put somebody else first, try it you might like it.


This is my last posting for 2009 as I will be spending time with my family, to all my readers I wish you the Merriest Christmas and the Happiest New Year!!!