New Beginnings
Did you know that January is named for the Roman god of doorways, Janus? That seems rather odd doesn’t it? Let me explain. When you walk through a doorway you end something that took place and you begin something new. Doorways symbolically represent endings and beginnings of phases in life. Even though we are a few weeks in, it is still January. We shut the door to 2024 and though there have been and will continue to be many changes, some which bring uncertainty, in 2025 is hope and anticipation. Louisa Fletcher has a poem that captures these feelings. It is called “The Land of Beginning Again.” I want to share the last stanzas.
We would find all the things we intended to do
But forgot, and remembered too late,
Little praises unspoken, little promises broken,
And all of the thousand and one
Little duties neglected that might have perfected
The day for one less fortunate.
It wouldn’t be possible not to be kind
In the land of Beginning Again;
And the ones we misjudged and the ones
Whom we grudged
The moments of victory here
Would find in the grasp of our loving handclasp
More than penitent lips could explain
For what had been hardest we’d know had been best
And what had seemed loss would be gain;
For there isn’t a sting that will not take wing
When we’ve faced it and laughed it away;
And I think that the laughter is most what we’re after
In the land of Beginning Again.
So I wish that there were some wonderful place
Called the land of Beginning Again,
Where all our mistakes and all our heartaches
And all of our poor selfish grief
Could be dropped like a shabby old coat at the door,
And never be put on again.
There is such a place. We all fall short and neglect our duties to show and share love, compassion, and respect, yet there is grace every day through our Lord Jesus Christ. He is THE place of Beginning Again. We walked through the doorway of 2024 and gave thanks for all that was, and now we embrace the newness of 2025. Another chance for you and for me. May we do so with hope and anticipation of God’s mercy and grace. Peace, Josie
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