A new year is like a new notebook: A fresh start, full of new opportunities. Stark and white as the midwinter snow around us, the crisp blank pages eagerly await to be filled margin-to-margin with adventures.
But we have to live out our story before we can write it down. So, for now, on the first day of the year, we let our minds wander. We dream and imagine what might be in store, and make plans and resolutions to how we hope to spend our year.
Whether we resolve to or not, we will change over the course of this year. We will learn and grow. Plans will change, and we will experience things we have never experienced before.
Certainly, a year ago, looking ahead to 2020, a pandemic was the last thing we anticipated. But through it, we learned things we never expected to learn—like the fact that face masks are not nearly as uncomfortable as we previously thought and that masks, in fact, can be considered ‘cute.’
We also developed skills that will help us in the future (video calling and bread baking, anyone?). And even though we were pushed 2 metres—6 feet—apart, communities came together in amazing, beautiful ways.
So while there were a lot of challenges in the year 2020, there were also a lot of good things. And now we’ve made it to 2021.
I know I have grown so much in my writing and faith since January 1, 2020. Last, I began seriously entering contests, submitting short works and writing regularly for numerous publications. I also finished writing a novel that I am excited about the progress of.
2021 will be a year with a lot more editing and submissions—and probably many more exciting writing adventures I haven’t even dreamed of yet.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
Even though we don’t know what the future and the year ahead holds, we don’t have to be afraid. No matter what happens, we can choose to trust and obey through every step of our journey because we can have hope in the One holding the future in His hands! God is in complete control of our stories, and He has written a Great Adventure for each of us.
Happy New Year, everyone!
Abby Ciona 