A List Better than the Age-old New Years Resolutions

Happy New Year! A whole new year lies ahead. For most, the thought of the future is both exhilarating and worrisome. It’s exciting to think this may be the year that the million dollar lottery is won, the job promotion comes or the trip of a lifetime takes place. Yet, we don’t know the flip side of the coin. Could this be the year that my company goes under, I lose my job or my health unexpectedly turns for the worse? Could this be the year of another “Katrina” or California-type wildfires leaving one destitute and instantly immersed into homeless conditions?

Of course only God knows our futures. He knows everything, from its beginning to its end. Because we don’t know the future, there are a few things we can do to prepare for whatever may come our way. The following is a list better than the age-old New Years resolutions – 99% of those fail. This plan is sure:

* Dedicate a minimum of 30 minutes of prayer/spiritual reading to God in the morning and in the night. As a result, God will reward you this year with a glad rejoicing heart and strengthen you with grace in the day of harm.

* Find the poor and “homeless” at your job, grocery store and wherever you go and serve them well. Show them kindness and hospitality. Many have even entertained angels unawares. By doing so, God will reward you this year with a glad rejoicing heart and strengthen you with grace in the day of harm.

* Forgive! Make a list of all those who have hurt (no matter how terrible) and offended you. Now forgive them. Then, in the day of trouble God will show mercy upon you. “Blessed are the merciful, they shall obtain mercy.” As a result, God will reward you this year with a glad rejoicing heart and strengthen you with grace in the day of harm.

* Serve! Get plugged into an outreach that serves the poor and the homeless like the Los Angeles-based St. Peter’s Scalibrinian Mission in Chinatown or Skid Row's Midnight Mission. God’s consolations and peace will be yours when you give even an hour or two a week of your time. Give alms to the poor through groups that serve them. As a result, God will reward you this year with a glad rejoicing heart and strengthen you with grace in the day of harm.

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