Jan 8

Helen Tyte

Happy New Year!

A neon sign on a gold platter spelling 2024.

For the new year I wanted to bring you a message about hope for our future, but could find no better words than these from the American Christian writer and pastor Mary Fairchild, although I had to change the number of days because this year is a leap year!

A New Year’s Plan

I tried to think of a clever new phrase—
A slogan to inspire the next 366 days,
A motto to live by this coming New Year,
But the catchy words fell flat to my ear.

And then I heard His still small voice
Saying, “Consider this simple, daily choice:
With each new dawn and close of day
Make new your resolve to trust and obey.“

“Don’t look back, caught in regret
Or dwell on the sorrow of dreams unmet;
Don’t stare forward anchored by fear,
No, live in this moment, for I Am here.”

“I am all you need. Everything. I Am.
You are held secure by my strong hand.
Give me this one thing—your all in all;
Into my grace let yourself fall.”

So, at last, I’m ready; I see the way.
It’s to daily follow, trust, and obey.
I enter the New Year armed with a plan,
To give Him my everything—all that I am.

Mary Fairchild