We walk into a new year not knowing for certain if it will be better than the one before. Perhaps it will bring new unexpected adventure or reward; or, it could bring hardship and ruin. Some speculate that their individual lives will only get better and better. Others have resigned themselves that their best years are already behind them. How do we know?

We know because of what we have learned and because of our faith. We do not need to worry that we are doomed at any moment. When Famous first came home with me he never let me out of my sight. His instinct made him react to insure his safety. Even now he likes to doze on top of my foot in case I should leave while he is asleep. But over the years he has learned the limits of our home and that if I walk out of a room I will likely walk back into it in just a few moments. He has learned patience. Granted, if I am gone longer that a few minutes, he will still come looking for me. He knows he needs me, and he has “faith” I will return to him.

God will make his presence known to us in the year ahead. We need not fear being abandoned. This promise gives assurance that God already knows our needs and will bless us according to our need.

“Getting back into the routine” was anything but routine this morning with temperatures hovering above the single digits. Famous was reluctant to leave his dog bed for a cold walk in the dark until the very last minute when I opened the front door and threatened to leave without him. We had walked the street through our neighborhood thousands of times before but rarely in this type of cold. I was completely covered in winter garb, except for my face around the eyes, and the vapor from my nostrils kept fogging up the lenses of my prescription glasses. Famous also donned a jacket to help maintain body heat, but the pads of his paws were in direct contact with the cold asphalt.

He kept a quick pace, stopping rarely to sniff a patch of grass, and did not put up a fuss when we turned around to head back to the house. From our vantage point at the end of the road we found another sight which was anything but routine. To the west a setting full moon, a “super” moon, served as a beacon to guide us back to the house while in the east three planets, Jupiter, Mars, and Mercury lined up to herald the new year. A beautiful sight since Mercury is so hard to spot, but the true gratitude came as we re-entered a warm home.

May the extraordinary decorate the routine.

It was indeed a cold start to the year. More than half the country awoke to sub-freezing temperatures. I am thankful for warm shelter, the love of family, and health as the year begins. Famous was apparently impressed by the cold wind enough to quicken his steps back from our walk. But he still pined for the door to open so that he could sit on the deck, at least for a little while, and observe the birds and squirrels keeping their distance in the yard. Bright sunshine gave us a bit of relief on our short walks during the day, but the light of tonight’s full moon could only illuminate with no benefit of warmth. Still lovely, but were it a summer’s moon, Famous and I might have lingered and greeted it with howling.

Walk in God’s light in the year ahead.