Giving thought to the direction of 2022

Jan. 1 signals the start of a new year, as 2022 makes her debut. 

This is when we take time to reflect on our past successes as well as failures and to give thought to what our direction needs to be as we make a fresh start. We all need to assess where we are in our journey of life and make needed adjustments. 

For the Christian, this is especially important. Ephesians 5:12 Follow God’s example in everything you do just as a much loved child imitates his father. 2 Be full of love for others, following the example of Christ who loved you and gave himself to God as a sacrifice to take away your sins. And God was pleased, for Christ’s love for you was like sweet perfume to him.

This scripture reminds us to “Be imitators of God, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as an offering and sacrifice to God.” 

So, as the new year makes its start, how do we shape our days to fit that goal? A good start would be to stop and count our blessings and then say “Thank You.” 

God has put us in the greatest nation in the world, given us a bounty of blessings, and continues to guide us with His love. He provided brave women and men to protect us from our enemies, gave us so many freedoms, brought about inventions that make our everyday lives easier, and assures us that eternal life can belong to each one. And all we have to do is believe and show our gratitude. It only gets better if we strive to imitate Him! 

If we make the effort to be successful in our lives, we are saying thank you. 

Theodore Roosevelt said, “It is not the critic that counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short and short again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails, while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat.” 

Ponderin’ the New Year

The old year ended and a new one soon to start,

The cowboy was in deep thought,

About things that were near and dear to his heart,

An’ other things that he sought.

 

He really should plan to find his way to Sunday meeting,

But he had those chores to do,

An’ one could shore ‘nuff find time fleeting,

Maybe get hisself in a stew!

 

An’ he should find a way to see his sweet ol’ Ma,

That’d be goin’ a far piece,

He’d have to wait until after spring thaw

By then the cold winds will cease.

 

Truth is, he’d need to put that trip off for a while,

With all the work he had to do,

She’d understand his problem, that’s just her style,

Waitin’ ‘til his work was through.

 

Well, he’d send off a letter next time he was in town,

But that’d probably be a spell,

An’ that very thought seemed to bring a frown,

‘Cuz that never worked so well.

 

After all, he had all them critters to watch out for,

An’ lookin’ for fence to fix,

An’ patchin’ that ol’ rusty barn roof with tar,

Mendin’ tack an’ checkin’ salt licks.  

 

All this thinkin’ could shore wear a feller out,

An’ he figgered he’d best quit,

‘Cuz he reckoned there could shore ‘nuff be no doubt,

Too much could make yore head split!

 

Now that made sense, but he give it one more thought,

He’d figgered this from the git go,

Treat this problem just like a cowboy was taught,

 A feller should take it slow,

 

Well sir, he took off his dusty hat an’ said,

 “I thank you Lord for this day,”

That you guide my trail while you calm my dread,

As you help me see my way.”

 

Then, he pulled his hat down low, over his eyes,

Laid his hands there in his lap, 

Reared his chair back on two legs an’ shoos the flies,

Figgered to take hisself a nap!

 

Now the moral of this story should be plain to see,

Step right up an’ show no fear,

Do what you will an’ be what you may be,

Prepare yourself for the New Year!

©  Ol’ Jim Cathey

 

Ask our Lord to help you get a good start on the new year!

God Bless you and God Bless America!

 

 

 

The Rosebud News

251 Live Oak St
Marlin, TX 76661
Phone: (254) 883-2554
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