“From ‘New’ Year to Eternity” By Sandra Fischer
He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart. . . Ecclesiastes 3:11a ESV
Standing at an airport gate, one witnesses the many emotions of “hellos” and “goodbyes”. Joyful smiles of greeting and happy embraces for arrivals; long kisses and tearful hugs for those departing. Life is hello. . . life is goodbye. It’s the constant tension of casting on and letting go. King Solomon put it this way – “everything has its season. . . a time to plant and a time to pluck up. . . a time to embrace and a time to refrain.”
As we turn the page to a new year, we have a choice – to greet it with hope and joy, letting go the past - or, to keep standing at the gate, hanging on to regrets. As Time begins to write in our New Year’s blank book, let us look to embrace one word – opportunity. Let us seek it on days when clouds veil its appearance and let us greet it on days when it arrives skipping in the sunshine. Let us meet it as God’s way of allowing us to discover all the possibilities it holds. Solomon recognizes God’s offering to do his part when he says, “He has made everything beautiful in its time.” Talk about possibilities!
Somehow, as Time records our earthly journey, we sense there is a place of timelessness, a place of only “hellos”, a place the wise King says God has put in our hearts – a place called eternity. Until then, we can appreciate all the prospects any passing moment offers as God-given.
Sandra is retired and lives in South Carolina. She enjoys writing inspirational stories to encourage others. Contact | 
