A Poem for the New Year

Recently, I was sifting through some of my old college yearbooks and came across a poem that I wrote and was published in the Methodist College (now known as Methodist University)  1972 college yearbook.    Though it is over 4 decades old,  it is as appropriate today as it was when I first wrote it.   It also is appropriate as each of us start a new year.  I share it with you as follows:

Found

Tomorrow is in the past,

Its sorrows and mishaps.

I’ve closed and locked the door

On past failures and heartaches

And now I’ve left yesterday behind

To seek another home

And furnish it with faith and laughter

And not a bit of gloom.

No not a thought shall enter me

That has a hint of hate

And every malice and prejudice

Shall never there in reside.

I’ve closed out yesterday

And locked the door behind-

Tomorrow holds hope and life

Since I’ve found today.

The apostle Paul puts it this way in Philippians 3:13-15:    ¹³ Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.  Have a joy-filled week and a blessed new year of 2019.-  Pastor Randy Wall

Prayer:   O God, you are alpha and omega, the beginning and the end.  Thank you for bringing me through the challenges of this past year and for the blessings you gave in 2018.   Thank you for the new beginnings you give in this new year.   Help me to live life in this new year in ways that are pleasing to you;  through Christ our Lord.  Amen.