Embracing family
We don’t need to bring our mistakes and failures into the new year. Instead, we can truly celebrate the new year with new beginnings. To support this, we should consider going to confession to leave our failings behind and start anew.
Doesn’t that sound awesome? Starting the new year off with a clean slate sounds liberating and hopeful! However, doing so also requires that we forgive ourselves and others.
It means that we consciously choose not to hang on to the past once we have respectfully addressed the concern and come to a mutually amenable solution. It also means not bringing up what people have said or done that has annoyed or hurt us. If we get a clean slate, so do others, including our spouses and kids.
Imagine how different our homes would be if we never brought up past hurts or shortcomings! Our marriages would be as enthusiastic as the day we walked down the aisle. We would be in absolute awe of our children as the extraordinary miracles they are, just as we were the first time we held them in our arms.
Addressing problems, coming to amenable solutions, forgiving and moving on means no gripes, grudges and passive-aggressive behavior.
It is important to note that we are not referring to situations of abuse. Giving a fresh start in abusive situations may put that person and their children in harm’s way. If we or someone we know is in an abusive relationship, please seek professional help so that we/they are safe and can indeed have the new beginnings that each person deserves.
Recently, we helped move a mom and her two daughters from a shelter into transitional housing just before Christmas. Their home was an empty apartment but they filled it with the love, hope and excitement that comes from new beginnings.
None of them were focusing on what was lacking. They were so grateful to have a place to call home. They were so thankful to have the chance to have a new beginning.
They had received the help they needed to leave an abusive home and find refuge at the women’s and kids’ shelter, where they also had the opportunity to receive counseling and parenting classes, opportunities to deepen their faith and opportunities to learn to trust again.
We deeply admire this mom and her daughters, who were ready to take that step of independence, leaving the past behind and starting anew.
While most of us who are reading this article are not in abusive relationships or living in a shelter, we probably have a family member or loved one who is struggling with an unhealthy relationship.
If we don’t know anyone who is struggling with a challenge in life, then maybe it’s time to broaden our friendships, get out of our comfort zone and allow ourselves to get to know neighbors in our community who may be dealing with a hardship.
Maybe we can open our eyes and look around the church for someone who appears sad or crying. We can let them know we care and will pray for them. We can ask if there is anything we can do to help them. We can volunteer and help those less fortunate than us.
Everyone deserves the chance to have a new beginning. While we celebrate this in our lives, let’s reach out to someone who can use this encouragement. In doing so, our new year will be worth celebrating because we will be celebrating God’s forgiveness in our lives while bringing this mercy and kindness to others who need this hope to face life’s challenges.
Questions? Please email Sarah and David at Success@EmbraceFamilyLearning.com. We would be honored to lift you in prayer and respond!
