Welcoming 2021

In Tennessee, 2021 arrived by way of a stunning, 68° day brimming, from start to finish, with golden sunshine. Every moment possible was spent outside that first day of the new year. Funny to think we’d take such a day for granted if it fell in May after a week of similar days. But here in January, seemingly out of place, our focus was keenly on the sparkling rays of light and the warm, earth-scented breeze. My father would have proclaimed it a “good-to-be-alive day”. I would agree and ardently wish he still was. He spent most of his life out-of-doors, working in all kinds of weather, so he knew what he was talking about.         
     Yes, this sublime day came upon us unexpectedly, after a week of frosts and fires, and fluttered by us just as suddenly, but left our hearts full of happiness, full of joy, which has lingered there well into January. 

It is true we don’t know what the new year will bring. We learned that lesson this past year. Man may make his plans but the Lord directs his steps. So, in light of the unknown, let’s seek to make the true, the lovely, and the praiseworthy in life our focus for the new year before us.

Like a butterfly in the winter woods or a 68° day in January, in 2021 may we all find splendor in the commonplace… and of course, drink tea, lots of tea!