New year 2023

The year 2023 is a special year for us Christians, as it started on Sunday! In one Church that I will call “Gasenyi Community Church” (not the real name), they had before 10:00 am service as usual a bible study in different groups: men, women, youth, and children. In all four groups, one question was given: “What are you grateful for this just ended year, 2022”? John, the husband of Mary, in the men’s group gave a totally different answer to that of Mary, who was in women’s group. Here are the two responses:

John: This past year 2022 has been a horrible year for me and my family. This year is when I had to retire, and I am staying home without work. Sometimes, I don’t feel I should even get up from my bed. This just past year also, my father passed away. I loved him so much, and I don’t know how to continue my life without him. The most terrible thing that happened to me is the accident of my son, who was to finish his medical studies. He still has the caste on his leg and he will miss an entire school year before he can return. It has been a very bad year for me and for my entire family. I don’t know why God did this to us.

Mary: This past year 2022 has been a wonderful year for me and my family. After many years of a successful carrier, my husband retired. He has now enough time to be with me and I love it. Our grandchildren can now enjoy their grandpa, which they did not do before, due to his heavy schedule. My father-in-law was called home at the age of 96. He did not suffer long and we were all around him. Finally, our son has had an accident, many people in the same bus died, but God protected him. He still has the caste on this leg but next year, he will be able to resume his classes in the medical school. The past year has been a wonderful year for me and my family; I praise God for His mercy.

As Christians, the apostle Paul tells us that we are not given a choice but to rejoice and be grateful in all circumstances. Not in “some” circumstances, not even in “many” circumstances, but in “all” circumstances! In other words, if we focus on what we don’t have, we find ourselves miserable. However, if we focus on what we have, we are surprised how God has blessed us! Look at John and Mary, one focused on what he does not have, and the other focused on what she has, and the two have a different sense of life. I pray that, for 2023, you cultivate a spirit of gratitude in your heart.

A prayer for 2023

“May God make your year a happy one!

Not by shielding you from all sorrows and pain,

But by strengthening you to bear it as it comes;

Not by making your path easy,

But by making you sturdy to travel any path;

Not by taking hardships from you,

But by taking fear from your heart;

Not by granting you unbroken sunshine,

But by keeping your face bright, even in the shadows;

Not by making your life always pleasant, but by showing you when people and their causes need you most, and by making you anxious to be there to help.

I pray for God’s love, peace, hope, and joy to stay with you for the year ahead.

AMEN!