As the gifts were unwrapped, ripped and torn apart – some were thrilled, others surprised, while some of us already opened ours long before Christmas. Some received hugs, kisses, thank you’s and the exactly what I wanted moment. Certain gifts were damaged before they were even utilize, others had to be exchanged/returned, while others were for keeps. I hope you all liked what you received as gifts – because I sure did! I always have three things that are of interest to me – shoes, bag/purse or a shopping spree. This year, I was awarded with a nice coach bag; may be not to some people, but to me it was what my money could buy. Okay, scratch that – what his money could buy. It’s all about affordability, cutting your coat according to your cloth and being content with the choices you make. Can you feel me? Lots of men, including my husband can’t fathom what women do with multiple bags/shoes. I don’t even have an answer to that question, but I will keep exploring. All I know is that, we all have our likes/interest and for me, I turn to have interest in them to satisfy my earthly desires. They don’t necessary take precedent over my life, and I can do away with them and still be happy/satisfied. It becomes problematic when we idolize them or make them our priorities. “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world-the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does-comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever”. 1 John 15-17.

As we say goodbye to 2016 and hello to a New Year (2017), any good planner or financial personnel would want to recap his/her dealings for the previous year with an exception of allowing all the bad stuff to remain in the past and the good stuff carried forward into the future. But we have to analyze what we did. What went wrong/right and what could have been done differently. We can make it to higher heights by focused efforts and setting our priorities right. Whatever you were born to do and become is in the inside of you. Not trying to live a life that isn’t your destiny.

• First, we have to start up with the right attitude by putting Jesus at the center of it all, if we put Jesus first, others second and ourselves last, we won’t have to end up with resolutions we can’t keep.
• Second,  we need the right mindset, the knowledge  and wisdom of self in relation to others and society to make the right decisions and not be lead by the crowd or trying to be what you are not.
• Last but not the least, we need to prioritize, plan, budget, execute and take time off to relax, refuel and recharge. “Then because, so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Mark 6: 31.
  

Having all these in perspective, would make us to acquire knowledge, wisdom and vision. You have to know where/how you are spending your time, money, resources and life. Remember, failing to plan is planning to fail!

With all the hustle and bustle throughout the last year, everything changed from the grass, weather, time and even our circumstances in life. All that is history now because the old has gone and the New has come! We can’t change the past, but we can sure avoid the past from repeating itself by setting attainable and realistic goals; no matter how small. Season may change, health will deteriorate, friends will come and go, stock market will crash, and to add to it all – the uncertainty of our economy. But there is hope people! Because the only thing that remains unchangeable irrespective of our flaws and frequent movements is Omnipotent God – He is the same yesterday, today and always! He is Yahweh, Jehovah Nissi, Jehovah Raah, Jehovah Rapha, Jehovah Shammah, Jehovah Tsidkenu, Jehovah Mekoddishkem, Jehovah Jireh, Jehovah Shalom, & Jehovah Sabaoth. “Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens”. Psalms 148:13. 

Now that we know His name is above all other names, worthy of praise, unchangeable, and His Mercies endureth forever – while not start off the New Year by   exalting His Holy name at every opportunity, so the world will know that we know Him. With this in mind, we can be rest assured the year would be a smooth ride irrespective of the distractors/distractions on our path. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for”. Jeremiah 29:11. From my family to yours – Happy New Year! And we pray the Almighty Himself guard and keep you and your family safe throughout the year and beyond.