Better Now Than Never.

On December 31st, at 11:59:50, we congregated around televisions or massive screens, at a dance floor, a bar, a downtown, an uptown, in a small intimate crowd, in a large screaming crowd, and we counted down. 10.9.8.7.6.5.4.3.2.1. And new numbers appeared before us: 2.0.1.3. 2013.

We wore hats, blew horns, hugged our friends, kissed our loved ones and celebrated the dropping of an intricately, 1000lbs + LED lit ball. We toasted to a new year. A new day. 

Some people planned ahead, weeks in advance for this day. They booked parties. They booked tables. The booked limos. Some people threw parties with an abundance of food, an abundance of drinks and an abundant crowd.

Some people planned the day of. They rallied their alliance and gathered at a house with an abundance of food, an abundance of drinks and a smaller crowd.

But what most did on that sparkly eve: they gathered to celebrate from something old to something new.

That's what you could say. That's what you could describe New Years Eve here in Western culture as: a sparkly party about a ball. 

I would say I'm the dazzling cynic in the corner of that party.  I would like to believe that NYE is a great tradition. Oh my, I even abbreviated it to "NYE." But year after year, I am always disappointed and I always wished I would have stayed home, eaten pizza and watched the kind of movies that I have already seen 15 times. Yet, this year...something was different. Right after I counted down with my small group of dancing heroes, I walked away for a moment and I found myself smiling. Not because of the fact that I love New Years celebrations. Not because I love watching the televised and glorious ball. Not because I loved the shoes I was wearing (that was a joke...it's like I was decided to insert knives into my heels). And not because I enjoy the countdown. 

I smiled because for the first time in many many years, I was able to look back upon the year and truly see something really great. I am not saying that past years have not been that, because some really have. But this has been a year. Oh golly, it has. But what a sweet sweet year it has been. Some rough truths. Some tear rivers cried. Some deep soul laughs. Some beautiful breakthroughs. And most of all, great community. I have made friends with some that I feel like I've known all my life. I have sat across the table from the hearts of faithful women and been encouraged more than ever. Grace has been showered over me in the purest and most tangible way that Jesus does through his sons and daughters. And I have seen how true He really is. How faithful He really is. And how much He really is a God of power.

I did not need a countdown to see all of this. But I remember writing this blog a year ago and being in a completely different spot. You'll even see, I described that year as a mess. But...He who promised is always faithful. So, to you, my people, may you be reminded that this side of heaven is what we get. So, let us gather and rejoice the old and celebrate the new for those that are won over to the Kingdom. We are the sparkly hat wearers, the horn blowers and the people that don't make sense. If you know what I mean, then you're one of them. And I'm glad you are. So, let's not count any more. Let's grab hands with those to our left and right, and go for it. A Kingdom awaits. You can ask Cinderella, just how you can ask everyone who celebrates a new year, it was never about the ball. It's about an adventure. It's about newness.

And there is only One who offers newness.

-S