Well my good friends, the beginning of December is here. Thanksgiving is over and the Christmas season is now officially here.

How many can go back eleven months and remember those resolutions or goals we made back on January first?

Hmmm, I have only about 30 days or so to lose 25 pounds, read seven good books and become a better human being. The first two are pretty much impossible right now–Okay, the third one probably is too. But there’s always next year, right?

So, all in all, what do you think of 2021? Has the year been good to you or not so good?

Probably we all have seen some good or positive things and we’ve witnessed some bad or negative things. Maybe you lost a loved one this past year. Maybe your reports from the doctor could have been better. But then again, maybe you enjoyed that long-awaited vacation you’ve wanted to take. Maybe you got to spend some quality and quantity time with your family and loved ones.

What were some of the things you’ll remember about 2021?

And do yourself a favor, (and me), forget politics for a while. Forget conservative/liberal; Democrat/Republican; MSNBC/Fox News and the whole vaccination debate for the next few weeks and just enjoy the Christmas Season.

Try to have a conversation without getting into a political debate. Come on, you can do it. If you try hard enough!

Wake up each morning for the next month and bless yourself with thinking only of the good things going on in your life. Thank God for your blessings; call someone up to just tell them you were thinking of them. Write a positive and uplifting Christmas newsletter but also write a personal sentence or two. Let your loved ones know you care. Ya never know, you might not get another chance.

It’s so easy to think and talk about all the negative things going on in the world today, but take time each day to refresh yourself by thinking of all the good things in your life.

Make amends if necessary. Be the first to apologize. Be the first to step out of your comfort zone and repair that relationship that is long overdue for repair.

It may work, it may not. You will never know if you never try.

In Proverbs 11:25, it says, “A generous man will prosper and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” Ya never know, it just may work.

Have a great Christmas season and we’ll see you again in a couple of weeks. Let me know what you think at jsheda@indytel.com or call me at 319-327-4640.

John Sheda is the pastor at Living Water Church in Independence. He is a native of Chelsea and a South Tama County alumni (Class of 1969).