A Prayer for the New Year

Here it is, the new year.

I have seen so many of these.

But really, this is just the day after yesterday

and the day before tomorrow, 

like any other.

We've done this before.

The creation of a calendar which follows

the earth's revolution around the sun

made this day significant.

Pretty cool, actually.

The spinning through space part.

But still, it is an opportunity 

to pause and reflect

on the past year and to be intentional

about the year to come.

For me, in this season of my life,

what does it mean to use this

bookend on the passing of time

to be intentional?

Let me try.

This is a time to count our many blessings 

and figure out how we can share these 

with others.

A time to remember 

that God's hope for the world

has nothing at all to do with the 

social and political constructs

we have carefully and stubbornly built.

Take a glimpse at the universe

as a reminder of how small 

our perspective really is. 

How little we really

truly understand.

And so I pray.

I pray (seriously) for world peace.

I pray (intentionally) for love, 

the kind that doesn't judge.

I pray (hopefully) for compassion

and generosity.

I pray (humbly) for 

mercy and forgiveness.

I pray (earnestly) for 

enough for everyone.

These are not just words, 

defined and sometimes

tarnished by religion.

They are actions

founded in love.

And while I have breath,

I should be doing what I can.

And so I pray.

Feeling overwhelmed 

because the task is so big

and I am so little.

Ah, there. I feel your hand in mine.

Yes, yes we can do this together.

(Even when our beliefs don't 

line up exactly

or look the same.)

We can do this together.

We have work to do.