This Is The Year!

I'm not one for New Year's resolutions. Sure, I usually make one, but I'm not very good at following through. Take 2003 for example. My resolution was to get moving again with some regular exercise! Well…..it took me almost nine months to get started on that resolution. I exercised off and on but the 'regular' didn't happen until September and now I'm working out three times a week and wish I had started sooner.

January seems to be a month of new beginnings, a season for making changes, and trying to redirect our lives. In the church year it is the season of Epiphany, the time when we are reminded of the Wise Men who came to visit the Christ Child and returned home another way. Once again we have been to Bethlehem, we have seen the babe lying in the manger and offered our gifts. Now it is time to decide which way to travel home. Will we take the usual route? Or will we find and follow a new path?

One of my favorite folks artists, David Roth, wrote a song that I often play in January as I begin a new year. See if the lyrics strike a chord in your heart as 2004 approaches.

This is the year for making changes, this is the year for moving on
This is the year of overcoming, this is the year for growing strong
This is the year for a new way of thinking, this is the year for making plans
This is the year for reaching out and this is the year for joining hands
This is the chance to recapture the power, this is the time to abandon the fear
This is the moment, the finest hour, this is the year, this is the year

Chorus:
This is the year that I put into action, all my desires and all of my means
This is the year that I follow my passion, this is the year of my dreams

This the year I'm letting go of trying to change the ones I love
This is the year I turn it over, this is the year I look above
This is the year that I take my intention, turn it away from distraction and talk
This is the year I take the step and this is the year I walk the walk
This is the year I make it happen, this is the year I follow through
This is the year I move ahead on all of the things I want to do
This is the chance to renew my commitment, this is the time to be conscious and clear
This is the moment for living fully, this is the year, this is the year

As I read over the lyrics again this year I realize how idealistic they are. In many ways they are a set-up for certain failure and disappointment. However this year I am trying to live more grace - fully. I want to learn to live into the wonder of God's amazing love and grace - grace that doesn't keep track of New Year's resolutions, but keeps making tracks in my heart.

Living more gracefully,

Bonnie