Today’s featured article is written by Richard D. Stafford, Ph.D.
As the final hours of 2014 tick away and we look forward to new beginnings in the coming days, it seems valuable to pause for a moment to recall where we have come from, and to where we are going. Like everyone, we had good happenings in our family this year and some not so good events, as well.
Our family gained a beautiful daughter-in-law, but a month before that, our son unexpectedly sold a business he loved and had recently started, our new and only grandchild completed 12 months of life by walking, running and proudly learning mommy, daddy, hotdog, burger, ducky, doggie, kitty, Kiki and Bobo…the last two are his names for my wife and me. I’m Bobo, not sure why, but I love it immensely.
We have seen friends and some family members struggle with health problems and several have passed away. I have taken a new semi-retirement job with about ¼ the salary of my last full time job. That’s okay though, as I plan to work ¼ as hard. Things change, and that’s okay, too. But what hasn’t?
The one constant for Christians is to understand and believe that what ever happens in life we have a faith that not only sees us through rocky times, but also propels us in times of high celebration. We can seek guidance from those around us, read about past challenges of those who came before us, and come to a greater understanding of our own journey. I personally believe that people of all faiths, and sometimes people of no faith, can inspire me to find my way in this ever changing and complex world.
It is my hope that through faith we enjoy the moments of great successes in the coming year. As well, I hope we seek acceptance and understanding, push bitterness and jealousy from our path, and find good in all things that come our way. After all, the happiest years are those years in which our hearts are warmed, peace fills our soul, and love is shared with family, friends and strangers, alike.
Finally, I attended a Christmas Eve service in Houston, Texas a few days ago. The service, held in a gigantic metal barn with a contemporary band and a dressed-down congregation ended with the minister saying, “I recently adopted a terrorist…a particular man who has killed many people, destroyed property, and made life miserable in a small Middle Eastern community. I adopted him for 40 days of prayer. I am not praying for a conversion from his own faith, no, I am praying he finds a better way to express his anger and unhappiness. I am praying for 40 days to help him live his own faith in peace and find harmony between what he believes and what he does to others. I am hoping my 40 days of prayer for him will bring a better life to all in his community, to those around the globe, and most importantly, to him.”
I wish you the same this year. I encourage you to pray for 40 days and see what great things will happen in 2015.
- Richard D. Stafford, Ph.D.
