Well here we are, December 31st, 2009. Most people are around celebrating a year that is ending. For some this is the end of a decade. (This is up for debate in a lot of circles, whether or not there is one more year to go in the decade or not.) For some, the pledge to change what they do in the new year. So I ask myself, how do I view this day? As I have matured I see this day as another one granted by God that I am thankful for.
A lot of people I know are about to get dressed and head to New York City..the city of bright lights, the city that NEVER sleeps. They are going over there to see the big ball drop in Times Square. Daddy, however, is going to kiss the girls and then head down to the House of God to bring in the new year as my ancestors did, in prayer.
(This next bit is for C.J., I have to make sure she is educated on why we do things.) The Watch Night Services in Black communities that we celebrate today can be traced back to gatherings on December 31, 1862, also known as "Freedom's Eve." On that night, Blacks came together in churches and private homes all across the nation, anxiously awaiting news that the Emancipation Proclamation actually had become law. Then, at the stroke of midnight, it was January 1, 1863, and all slaves in the Confederate States were declared legally free. When the news was received, there were prayers, shouts and songs of joy as people fell to their knees and thanked God. Black folks have gathered in churches annually on New Year's Eve ever since, praising God for bringing us safely through another year. It's been 141 years since that first Freedom's Eve and many of us were never taught the African American history of Watch Night, but tradition still brings us together at this time every year to celebrate "how we got over”.
Now with that said, I will reflect on this year of trials, tribulation, triumphs and defeats and all I can say is, "We serve an awesome God and through it all He brought me through." I thank Him for all the good times. I thank Him for all the bad times. I thank Him for putting up with me in spite of me. I adore Him and lift my hands in adoration. I praise Him with a voice of triumph and I worship Him with all I am. Most of all I thank Him for the baby he blessed my home with at 1:17am on August 7th, 2009. She has helped bring a change in me that was very much needed.
Honestly that is all I have to say today. The clock will strike twelve, and guess what, 60 seconds later all the hoopla will be gone. The year 2010 will be a minute old. The one thing I pray is that this minute, the next, today, and if God sees fit tomorrow, my steps, C.J.'s steps and my families steps are ordered in the word of God, and that His will is the only one governing our lives. WITH GOD 2010 will be AWESOME!
As I go, I have a list of people who have solicited prayer tonight. As I always say, we know that prayer changes things and people. Whatever it is these people need I am turning it over to God to handle. The same with my life...do God what you want. Lead me and I will follow. Lead those that have solicited to the place you would have them to be. To my readers, always remember to pray because prayer, even today, still changes things.
