January 2022
Reflections of God's Goodness
The past two years have been difficult and full of change. What will be different in 2022? We hope for better days ahead. God’s Word can give us insight into how God sees this present day and what God’s hope is for our future. It is a new year! A new beginning!
Sometimes we are hard on ourselves and self-critical. We tend to remember all the ways we have failed. God wants us to see how He is working in our lives and how He brings good from our mistakes and failures.
“Remember not the events of the past, the things of long ago consider not; See, I am doing something new! Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? In the wilderness I make a way, in the wasteland, rivers.”
Instead, we can remember that the Lord’s love lasts forever.
“The Lord’s acts of mercy are not exhausted, his compassion is not spent; They are renewed each morning—great is your faithfulness!”
Are there things in your life that you want to see change? Are the things in the world getting in the way of putting God first in your life? What might be keeping you from responding to God’s call to share the Good News of His love with others?
“Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.”
Relying on God’s promises, consider making 2022 a year to follow Jesus more closely, to acknowledge God daily, to pray often and rely on God’s word for guidance.
“So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.”
"Jesus spoke to them again, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.’”
The world needs us to share the light of life. God’s mandate to “love one another” gives us direction. May this new year be filled with God’s grace and mercy, with love for the people in your life and those you meet along the way, and action to help people who need it most.
Happy New Year,
Sister Mary Ann Barnhorn, SNDdeN
