This moment is the peak of time.
On it we stand and we can see
The future and the past stretch out,
Two roads to one eternity.

~ Rebecca McCann (American poet, creator of The Cheerful Cherub)

Happy New Year!

For many of us, yesterday, December 31, was a time to look back and review the past year. We tallied up our lists of both missions accomplished and projects unfinished. We recalled words and deeds now over and done; hours touched by sadness and disappointment as well as moments set apart by gladness and satisfaction. Though some of our dreams were not realized over the course of the past 12 months, many other goals were achieved. We thought of the actions of which we are proud. We also focused on things that we wish we had done as well as things that we wish we could have done better, had we only had the time; but, last night, New Year’s Eve, at the stroke of midnight, 2023 was over. The final accounting and permanent record of the year, with its pluses and minuses, now stood for all of time.

The good news is that today, January 1, 2024, we have been blessed with another full year of time — 365 unblemished days, each day a bountiful, 24-hours-long, and all at our disposal.

So, there is still time to finish old projects and time to begin new efforts. Time to start over and time to do better. Time to be silent and time to speak up. Time to notice and time to appreciate.

There’s even still time to take time to listen, to apologize, to forgive, to love.

There is still time to pray, to aspire, to plan, to achieve.

On this first day of the New Year, as Rebecca McCann pointed out in her words above, we stand at the precise intersection of our past and our future. Both roads are clearly visible to us. From this vantage point, we can look back, with mixed reviews and longing, to the old, worn trail we have been following, but we can also look forward with hope and expectation to the bright, uncharted path that has opened before us.

Take heart, my friends! All things are still possible, thanks to God’s renewed gift of time.

What will you do with your gift of time?