The sky was perfectly painted today, a beautiful collaboration between Mother Nature and Father Sky to welcome the new year with a beautiful deep blue sky, cloudless and clear and sunny and warm, open for a year of hope and blessings from a loving God. The year is what we make it whether it’s starting over with a clean slate or continuing on our last year’s journey, following the path God has chosen for us.

Bible scripture talks of new beginnings emphasizing spiritual transformation where we let go of the past and have hope for the future. Isaiah 43:18 speaks from God saying, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.” Not being able to let go of past troubles hinders us from new experiences. God works in unexpected ways bringing us new blessings and new experiences. As we travel through the new year, we should be aware of God’s power as we face difficulties, letting our burdens rest on God’s shoulders as we pray for peace. The joy in a new year is God’s call to look forward in our faith, trusting in God’s steadfastness and grace to bless us as we travel onward.

When I walked Penelope it was cool and clear. Not even a wisp of a cloud to mar the sky’s blueness. I heard the old hoot owl hooting his song. Sounds like he’s saying, “Who cooks for you?” My yard is full of cardinals. Sunset’s dusk is their favorite time of day and all the feeders are full of handsome crimson males and prettily dressed fawn-brown females.

Late afternoon Father Sky sketched a few wispy clouds for Mother Nature to paint at sunset. I love to watch the sun change colors. She started her pageant walk as a bright white fire ball, halfway down the horizon her color darkened and she became a beautiful summertime ripe peach rolling down the skyline to turn off the day’s light. When the sun was fully down she lit a forest fire of orange and red that covered the horizon. Mother Nature’s watercolors are so beautiful, shades of orange and gold and yellow and red, dark hues on the bottom, lighter hues on the top. The clouds are now coconut and blueberry washes of color, striped like hard candy. Father Sky covered the sun in her quilt of watermelon and blueberry cloud covers and kissed her goodnight. She turned off the day’s light and Father Sky began the night sky pageant by waking the moon and stars in the chasm of the inky black sky canvas. The day is done. Night has begun.

I’m not much for making New Year’s resolutions but I like the ones Snoopy, Charlie Brown’s dog, has. “Laugh a little louder, smile a little bigger, love a little deeper, and walk through life a little slower,” Charles Schulz. The only thing I’d add is do everything with kindness. Mother Earth needs all the kindness we can bestow on her.

As we travel through the new year let’s make a conscious effort to thank God every day for our many blessings. Let’s be grateful for the little everyday moments that bring love and joy and sunshine into our lives. Let’s smile more and slow down and take time to enjoy God’s sunrises and sunsets. Let’s put our cell phones down and bring back the art of conversation. Let’s hug our loved ones every day and tell them we love them and are proud of them. Let’s be a witness to the Lord through our words and actions helping bring other into the kingdom of God. Let’s be kind and compassionate to our fellow travelers on this beautiful planet Earth.

Been reading prayers this afternoon for the new year so I’m closing with a favorite one. “A New Year’s Prayer — God of all time, help us enter the New Year quietly, thoughtful of who we are to ourselves and to others, mindful that our steps make an impact and our words carry power. May we walk gently. May we speak only after we have listened well. Creator of all life, help us enter the New Year reverently, aware that you have endowed every creature and plant, every person and habitat, with beauty and purpose. May we regard the world with tenderness. May we honor rather than destroy. Lover of all souls, help us enter the New Year joyfully, willing to laugh and dance and dream, remembering our many gifts with thanks and looking forward to blessings yet to come. May we welcome your lavish love. May we cast off the small, vindictive gods our fears have made. May the grace and peace of Christ bless you now and in the days ahead.” — Vinita Hampton Wright

“What the new year brings to you will depend a great deal on what you bring to the new year.” — Vern McClellan