Reflections and Resolutions

As a new year comes, it's inevitable to look back at the past year and reflect on what happened. It's also inevitable at this time to make resolutions. Each new year is another chance to renew our lives. It is a time when there is much hope, and we look forward to the coming year with much optimism and enthusiasm.

But we must not forget the most important thing--to have the Lord when we make our resolutions. It is by His grace that we're given the strength to carry out our resolutions. Often we make them, but do we remember to ask His help whenever we make them? Let us ask His help and guidance then. It would not be in vain if we ask His blessing.

At the same time we thank the Lord for the past year, that there had been blessings as well as hardships. All of them are a part of life, and we thank Him for giving us the chance to experience life. No matter how hard life is, we must realize that He is always there to guide us, if we ask Him to do so. We are thankful that despite the hardships of life, He does not fail us.

And so this year we turn to Him and to the Theotokos, as we should. It is a year of opportunities. With the Lord by our side, nothing is impossible. He will be there for us if we but cling to Him, for without Him we are nothing. But with Him, then we are whole, for He is everything.