Faithfully yours - Strengthen the things that remain

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Published on Sunday, January 31, 2016

By Neil Strohschein

The Neepawa Banner

By the time you read these words, Christmas 2016 will be over. The gifts will have been opened. All leftovers from the dinner will have been consumed and we will be getting ready for the next event on the calendar—New Year’s Day.

If your Christmas was anything like mine, you have witnessed an outpouring of random acts of kindness; as people in our communities went above and beyond the call of duty to help make this a Christmas to remember. Let me assure you that every act of kindness was greatly appreciated; whether or not you received any words or cards of thanks.

It was also a time where we were able to enjoy the company of family and friends as we sat around a table, enjoyed a good meal and told stories of events and experiences shared in the past year. Many were happy to welcome home children and grandchildren who live in distant places and who took some of their vacation time so that they could come home for Christmas. These visits are always special and we only wish that they could have lasted longer than they did.

But for some of us, this past Christmas was a time to think of what might have been—of how things might be different if some of those we love hadn’t been taken from us in death. We were reminded again that time does not heal all wounds. We still miss them dearly and we always will. Nothing will ever fill the hole that they left when they were taken from us.

So as one year ends and a new one begins, it is up to us to strengthen the things that remain.

We begin by treating each relationship we have as a sacred trust given to us by God. That applies to our marriages (whatever form they may take), our relationships with our children, with those for whom we work (employers), our neighbors, friends, church family and wider community.

These relationships didn’t happen by accident. God put each of us in the right place, at the right time and with the right people—people who would teach us valuable life lessons and who would learn similar things from us. These relationships are never to be taken for granted. Nor are they to be broken without first giving careful consideration to the consequences of doing so. Our goal must always be to strengthen these relationships so that they will be even more beneficial to us and others in the future.

This requires two things. First is a commitment to excellence in all that we do. We should never be content with doing anything less than our best in every task assigned to us. No one expects us to be perfect or to do everything perfectly. But there is no room in any relationship for those who are satisfied with doing just enough to avoid getting reprimanded or fired.

As the new year begins, I urge us all to resolve that we will be the best people that we can be—the best partners, the best parents, the best employees, the best neighbors and friends—and do the best work that we can do.

Second, we must always remember that we do not have to do this alone or in our own strength. God offers us his help—the guidance that comes from the Scripture, encouragement from people of faith and the power of his Spirit that will make all these things possible.

May you and yours have a happy and fulfilling new year.