I've read so many posts in the past few days about the ending of one year and the dawning of another. So many people look with eagerness to what 2010 will bring. It's as if, with the turning of a calendar page, all the unpleasantness, strife and struggle of one year could be forgotten and fresh,wonderful new experiences crowd at the door, just waiting to tumble over the threshold.

On New Year's Eve I watched the celebration at Times Square, hosted by Dick Clark and marveled at all the people literally kissing 2009 goodbye.

Now it is New Year's Day and I and thousands others begin the year with plans to exercise more, read more, pray more, and be kinder to other drivers.

I'm not sure I ever truly succeed in my resolutions, except that I become more aware of how I fall short of the ideal. (I didn't lose weight in 2009, my life required more time at the computer, so I didn't exercise more, and I'm not sure I was kinder to other motorists.)

There is One Who always makes good on His promises, though. "I know Whom I have believed and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day." (2 Tim. 1:12)
Unlike my foolhardy resolutions, Christ is determined to make me like Him and He does not give up halfway through the exercise. "God, Who has called you into fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful." (1 Cor. 1:9)

2009 was a blessed year. Not because great things happened, or because I accomplished lofty goals. But simply because I know that God is faithful and that He is accomplishing wondrous things even if I cannot always see them with my physical eyes.

2010 will also be a blessed year.