Did you ever stop to think that the toy you spent so much time thinking about getting for your offspring for Christmas would actually be broken today? I don't just mean the batteries went dead on it, but it is actually broken or maybe even totally destroyed. Less than a day has gone by and you're thinking why did you bother?

Was it because of the sound of joy and the look of wonderment on your child's face and the big thank you with the hug? It is rare moments like this that a lot of people cherish and it is memories like this that help you through the other depressing things that happen during the holidays, such as the thought of making up some new New Years resolutions that you probably won't keep all for the sake of impressing others with your wit and charm at another "Happy New Year" party?

But seriously. You have to think of something you could do in the coming year that is original. I mean come on, come up with some new goal or idea. But make it simple though, because a lot of New Years resolutions may not come true because they were too monumental in carrying them out.

But don't fret just because a New Years resolution did not come true. You accomplished a lot this year, one of them, of course, being that you are still alive. And in this quite often screwed up world that could be perceived as a great accomplishment. You gave life another chance you tried X amount of things in the New Year. And I think that if you really thought about it you could come up with at least one good thing you did during this year.

Now you could keep on scolding yourself for not accomplish last New Years resolution. But the only thing that will happen is that you may great really depressed, and for what? Nothing. Nothing at all, because there is another year to either get it right, or at least understand what "it" is.

What is "it?" Is it a relationship with God? Ahhhhhhhh!!! You were probably wondering when God would get into this sermon. But "it" is God. I mean, think about it. Everythings God. God knows all, and He sees all and He knows exactly what you are thinking about right now.

So a good News Years resolution would be to seek Gods guidance. I mean what do you have to lose? Not your sanity, because a lasting relationship with God will save your sanity, because God can help you form a new perspective on life and help you to understand what "it" is and what to do about it.

So you're thinking about a new goal right now for the new year. How are you going to accomplish it? Because the only reason you didn't accomplish last years goal is probably due to not trying in the first place. If you do not put your foot forward and try to accomplish the resolution, or a step in that direction, it will be like shooting a BB gun at a freight train with you being the BB. With less disastrous results, hopefully.

But all kidding aside, for the next year try to make a New Years resolution that you know you can accomplish so that next New Years day, you can actually say that your resolution has been done.

Make your resolution that you will attend church at least once in the coming year. That way if you go twice you can say that you not only accomplished your New Years resolution, you can say you went twice as far to accomplish it. But what if you get hooked on going to church because you meet a lot of nice people and you go three times and four and even more. When that happens you can say you really did right by your resolution.

Then when you go to the next New Years party in one year, you can impress your friends with your dedication and fortitude and that you did "it." You made God a better and more advantageous impression on your life. Because with this new relationship with God you will really begin to skyrocket and bloom and prove to others that you are living a life that other are only envious of.

And that makes it "it". Give God your time in this coming year and you will find rewards that you never dreamed possible. He will make the "it"' more understandable.

Prayer: Lord, help me to understand more in the coming year. Spell things out for me when I have lost my way. Help me not to do as many stupid things as I have done this year. That way I can understand myself better when I do stupid things. Help this new year to be one of self-discovery and discovery of your blessings, Lord. And help me to be ever thankful of all the blessings you give me every day of my life. Amen.

Benediction: Now, Lord, Bless us in our daily lives. Help us to smell the roses whenever possible, to shine our light on those less fortunate than us, and lead us in the path we should go. For you are the light that keeps our path well lit. Help us to follow it, until we meet you, in a land where milk and honey abound, a place where our most wonderful dreams are fulfilled. Amen.

Hi, my name is Bryan, a messenger of hope who would love to hear from you. God Bless.

© 2004 Bryan Hill