New

“What’s New!” A familiar greeting that leaves options open for a response. A lot is new. Today is a new day. Today ushers in a new year, 2021!!!! New calendars, new seed catalogues, new possibilities; they lie there for our eager exploration. This is a new entry into Fridayswithwillis.com. New calendars lay out the relentless return of a new day. Some days drag by, as did most in 2020. Others flash past, like the few cherished moments shared with loved ones—at a distance, in 2020.

Each new day has new mysteries, moments, and joys. Seed Catalogues glisten with horticultural delights; flowers, fruits, vegetables, and herbs—some, we never heard of—but want to try our hand at growing them anyway. But more than the attractive, succulent, beauties in the spectacular pictures, is the hope they offer. We drool over the pages, dreaming of wonders to come. Hope springs new in our hearts!

When I was twelve years old, a shiny red Farmall Tractor showed up near the front of grandaddy Veal’s country store. I went out and exulted over this new tractor. My uncle was not impressed; he said drolly, “A new paint job!” I Looked more closely. All the decals were correct. It really did look new—however, a few edges exposed grimy old corners. And, the painted tires looked worn. He was correct, it was only a new paint job.

Don’t we humans tend to simply smear some paint over incompleteness or cover our errors, attempting to take shortcuts to the new? Bandaids over human hurts; excuses for empty efforts; sanguine statements offered to friends and families in sorrow. During some of the more difficult days for his people, the Prophet Jeremiah said, “They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.”Jeremiah 6:14

It is difficult to speak truth to troubled times. Difficult days cloud our concentration. Many will rail against Truth, but for new life to come forth, it is the path to take. Smearing paint over difficulties, or tossing covers over obstacles does not make them new, better, or disappear.

The year that ended a few hours ago was likely the most difficult year any of us—in many ways—- has ever experienced. It was filled with fear, financial failings, falsehoods, sickness, death of dear ones, empty hope. There were and are, however, miracles and spectacular new successes that continue to emerge. The New Year, can, and will produce new opportunities and possibilities with blossoms of new hope. Happy New Year!!