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Hello Hennepin Youth and Families,
I hope you had a very Merry Christmas, and that the Christmas Spirit is continuing to carry you into the new year.
The end of the year is often a time when people reflect on the past year and make resolutions for the year to come. But this year has been one like none we've ever seen, and I believe that means we should transition differently. Some have suggested that during such difficult times, it's especially important to look for the positive, and though I believe the intent behind that sentiment is good, I can't ignore that scripture shares countless stories of how God helped to make good things happen in spite of or even because of the difficulties people faced. That being said, there are many things to celebrate in 2020 too. In light of the complicated year, here's my new year's prayer.
A Prayer for the New Year
Gracious God, through your generosity, you provided an example of how to love each other through your son, Jesus. Though our country has been deeply impacted by pandemics, police shootings, Presidential politics, and more, we've seen love win time and again. We've seen it in the wearing face-masks, people of every race raising their for voices for our black neighbors, and we have cast our votes for the future we hope to see in our country and community.
We've struggled, as you already know, because school has been different, work has been different, and that means home has been different, and yet, we know you're the same, even when that hasn't felt like as big a comfort as it should be.
Thank you for the technology that has allowed us to stay connected in the safest ways we can, the Facetiming, Zoom calls, texts, tweets, snaps, and posts, that have helped us remember we're not alone even when it's best to be distant.
As we do our best to recognize all that you have moved in and through in the past months, open our hearts to be the people of God you're calling us to be in 2021, living in your shining light, and loving our neighbors, family and friends the way you've shown us to love.
Grace and Peace,
Rick
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