Here We Are

Theme for this week: “New Year 2022”

January 3, 2022 (Monday)

Back in the old radio days, one of the comedians portrayed a character who showed up every week and every time he first appeared in an episode, he would always say the same thing: “Well, here I am.”

So, in keeping with the comic’s weekly greeting, I am saying today, in this new year, “Well, here I am.” And there you are. Nice being with you again.

I now have a new calendar, but it’s not blank. There are already dates on it that are marked for something. Even though it’s a new year, you likely already have some events planned and marked on your new calendar, like doctors’ appointments, birthdays, anniversaries, etc. So it’s not a “clean slate.” By the time we reach the end of the year, many of the dates will have been filled in with notes about happenings.

Looking back over the old calendar for 2021, a lot of dates were marked, even though I am retired. Names and dates of blogs I wrote during the year, visits to the hospital as a patient, luncheon engagements with friends and/or family, Last year’s events were fewer than in years past, but the calendar is pretty well marked up with notes about what happened last year.

Now we have a new calendar, already committed to some 2022 events, but mostly blank. As I think about the year ahead, I breathe a prayer that I might discover many opportunities to bless the lives of others in some way. Looking back, I know that I could have done more good things and lived a better life for the Lord. I feel about all this like the person in the “New Leaf” poem.

A NEW LEAF
Helen Field Fischer

He came to my desk with a quivering lip
The lesson was done.
“Dear Teacher, I want a new leaf,” he said,
“I have spoiled this one.”
I took the old leaf, stained and blotted,
And gave him a new one all unspotted,
And into his sad eyes smiled,
“Do better, now, my child.”

I went to the throne with a quivering soul—
The Old Year was done.
“Dear Father, hast Thou a new leaf for me?
I have spoiled this one.”
He took the old leaf, stained and blotted,
And gave me a new one all unspotted,
And into my sad heart smiled,
“Do better, now, my child.”

“Well, here I am” may not be enough for us to say. Perhaps we should think it through and offer the prayer that Isaiah prayed, “Here I am Lord. Send me.” Send me where? To wherever the needs are. I am old, but aware of the needs that exist in today’s world. Those needs are opportunities to be of service to others and to God.

Charles at 90