Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! How are you celebrating? Are you making resolutions? Eating anything like black eyed peas, buttered bread, something round like cookies, or pork and sauerkraut to bring good luck in the new year? What are you hoping will happen in 2014 that did not happen in 2013? Trying to take off that weight you gained over the holidays? 

For me, my hope and prayer is to be a better friend to others. Encouraging people in good times and supporting them in bad times is what we are called t do as Christians. Galatians 6:1-2 and Romans 12:15 say that we fulfill the law of Christ by carrying each other's burdens and rejoicing with those who rejoice and weeping with those who weep. I'm so grateful for every person who ever crossed my path. We often say we find out who our true friends are when we go through tough times, but I also think we find out who our friends are when we have a chance to celebrate the good times. If you are jealous someone who just received a promotion at work or condemn them when they lose a job, then being a true friend to them isn't a priority for you. On the other hand, if you can congratulate them on the promotion because you know they earned it or you try to help them find another job when theirs is gone and you do so because it's heartbreaking to see them suffer, then you're on your way to being a good friend to others. And when you can find people who offer you that same consideration, you're truly blessed. That doesn't mean you have to help them every time, because sometimes it means you point them in the right direction to others who can help them better than you can (like pointing them to a job agency if they need a job or a doctor if they have an illness.) It's about knowing when you can help and when you can turn that aid over to others. And when you find that balance, the people who are your real friends will be truly grateful for it!