Ministries
The Italians have a custom on New Year’s Eve. As midnight approaches, the streets clear. There is no traffic. There are no pedestrians. Even the policemen take cover. Then, at the stroke of twelve, the windows of houses fly open. To the sound of laughter, music, and fireworks, each member of the family pitches out old crockery, detested ornaments, hated furniture, and a whole catalogue of personal possessions which remind them of the “negatives” of their past year.
It’s a pretty healthy custom allowing them to literally “dump” some of the garbage in their lives by symbolically throwing it out the window. Of course, here in Texas we would be fined for littering if we tried that New Year’s Eve (“Don’t Mess with Texas” – right?). Still, it’s not a bad idea, emotionally and spiritually, to jettison a few things that have been negative and destructive this past year—harbored resentments, cherished grudges, overwhelming guilt, unforgiveness of self—whatever “garbage” you might be carrying. Confess it to God in prayer, receive his forgiveness, and let him lift that burden from you. Enter the New Year free and forgiven, ready to sing a “New Song” for Him.
Many Blessings and Prayers for the New Year!
Stan
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