Today is New Year’s Eve. It’s time to remember, and also time to think ahead.
Actually, I’m feeling a bit behind. I’m not ready yet for the new year. I’m still stuck in the mess of 2025.
I’ve been making a temperature quilt for 2025. There is a rectangle for every day of the year, and temperatures shown in colours. The minimum temperature is in the smaller triangle, and the maximum is the larger part of the rectangle.
The photo shows the mess on my dining table right now as I rush to get the last days done.
Not ready yet
I’m still rushing around, trying to finish this year’s quilt and I’m still writing this blog. Are you feeling rushed too? Are you still trying to sort out the problems of this year? Are you feeling left behind in the rush of doing what you think you are supposed to do, and being what you think you are supposed to be? It’s NYE – we’re supposed to go to parties and over-indulge (again). We’re supposed to wildly celebrate and move on, aren’t we?
Not even invited
What if you’re not even invited to any parties? Or, even if you were, you wouldn’t want to go. You remember the past celebrations that only mask the deep troubles. You remember the headaches and pain of the next day. It’s better to hide at home, and make excuses that you’re too busy…
Too wild, too loud
Do you have neighbours who give a wild party every year? It’s way too loud, way too noisy. You’ve been invited before, but not for several years now. In the past, you’ve even had to say somewhere else, because it was so loud that you and your children couldn’t get to sleep.
Or are you the loud neighbour that others complain about? But too bad, that’s their problem. This is what everyone does on NYE and no one should judge me. In fact, I’m tired of my problem neighbours! And that’s another problem that will follow me into the new year…
The year isn’t over yet
This is the last day of 2025. Tomorrow we’ll start a new calendar. But the problems of this year won’t just suddenly evaporate. Unlike the old calendar, we can’t just toss them into the recycling bin. There will still be stuff to do, and I’ll still be wondering if this is the best use of my time, or part of the real purpose of my life.
Remembering the year
Right now, whatever you are planning for tonight, tomorrow, and the new year of 2026, I want to encourage you to look back with gratitude.
Even secular researchers state that gratitude is a positive character trait, which benefits the individual and the whole society. https://positivepsychology.com/gratitude-appreciation/
I’m not saying that you can ignore the bad things that happened this year, nor that you should. There may be many things that need deep healing. God says:
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
God says we are to rejoice and give thanks in ALL circumstances. But that’s NOT easy! Does God even know how hard it is for us?
Actually, he knows very well:
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.
Hebrews 4:15
Jesus knows exactly how it feels to be tempted, ignored, shunned, mocked, abused, falsely accused, and beaten, and killed.
Looking back
So, wherever you are right now, remember God loves you. He loves you so much that He gave up everything – for you:
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16
God doesn’t want you to remain in your mess, whatever that might be:
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
So, I’ll continue to work on my quilt, and all the messy things of my life. I thank God that He knows and sympathises with all my troubles, and yours. I pray that God will give you His peace, in the midst of your messy life, and especially when you’re feeling not ready yet. God bless!