Christmas is finally over. I know, I know, I sound like an old scrooge.

But, maybe I am glad Christmas is over because it signals the beginning of a new year.

I think most would agree with me that 2024 was a tough year. Money seems tighter than ever, we had political discord (as always) and there were a whole lot of hard pills to swallow last year. It is my extreme hope as we start 2025 that things might get a little better, a little easier, and just a little more easier to handle.

Or, maybe you had a great last year. Maybe your cup runneth over and you have absolutely no complaints. If that is the case for you, praise the Lord. Maybe I am just an old curmugeon that needs to look more on the bright side.

Perhaps the reality is that things ain’t so bad. It is entirely possible that the world is not nearly as dark as I tend to believe it is. We did actually see a lot of good stuff come to fruition in 2024. When I think back about my favorite things of last year, it is impossible for me not to think about my friends at First Baptist Church-DeKalb.

Those folks over there sat down at one point in the year and they mapped out a plan for missions activities that their church could do to bless their community. I am thinking that when all of it was layed out, Pastor James Sparks got some raised eyebrows and a whole heap of questions.

But I am here to tell you that if I was to start listing my fav things from 2024 it would have to include Trunk or Treat on Church Street, the live nativity and one of the best programs I have ever seen come out of a church, Sweet Dreams. Pastor Sparks told his congregation the Sunday before Christmas that the Sweet Dream outreach had already placed 33 beds in homes around the area. He slo said that there are plans to expand Sweet Dreams to reach even more kids who simply need a bed of their own to sleep on.

The live nativity and Trunk or Treat on Church Street will also return for another year in 2025. All of those things are perfect examples of how our communty always seems to find a way to be there for those in need around the area. I mean, look at Rock Solid Resource Center in New Boston. They just got done providing holiday meals for 144 families all over our area. Now that is some folks helpin’ some folks!

We live in a good place. I need to look more to the brighter side of life. Maybe you do as well.

One thing is for sure, we play a large part in deciding if the world will be a better place in 2025. I will be working to do my part,,,how about you join me and see what a great year we can make it?

Happy New Year to all of you.