Gabriella bounced on her toes as the clock counted down. “Ten, nine, eight…” She clapped her hands together and counted out loud with the rest of the crowd on the TV. As the countdown reached zero, she grabbed the noisemaker her mom, Carolyn, handed her. She blew the horn and shouted “Happy New Year!” along with the rest of the family. Fireworks dotted the skyline on the TV, and a few booms sounded outside as well. After watching the bursts of color shoot across the screen, Gabriella raced to the window and pulled back the curtain.

            “I don’t think you’ll see any fireworks here,” Carolyn said. “There are too many trees. Besides they’re probably just firecrackers. Just noise, no color.”

            Gabriella stared at her mother, then turned back to look out the window. “I don’t understand. Everything looks the same. It’s still cold and gray and dark.”
            Carolyn studied her daughter. “What were you expecting, sweetheart?”

            “What is everyone so happy about if everything is the same?” Gabriella yawned. “Why do we all stay up so late for this?”

            “Come on, I’ll take you to bed,” Carolyn said, taking Gabriella’s hand, and they walked to Gabriella’s bedroom. Gabriella climbed under the covers, and Carolyn perched on the edge of the bed, smoothing Gabriella’s hair away from her face. “Are you glad we let you stay up this year?”

            Gabriella frowned. “I don’t know. I don’t really understand what all the fuss is about. What’s the big deal about a new year if nothing changes?”

            Carolyn nodded. “It’s a good question. It’s interesting, too. Lots of kids don’t want things to change in their lives. They’re happy with the way things are. What are some things you wish would change with the new year?”

            Gabriella chewed her lip a moment before answering. “I want math to stop being so hard, and I want to be better at playing the piano. I also want Janie to stop playing with Chloe and start playing with me again. I also want you and daddy to have more time to play with me.”

            “I think we might be able to make all those things happen,” Carolyn said.

            Gabriella sat up in bed. “Really? How?”

            “Well, if we spend a little extra time together each night, I can work with you on your math and make sure you understand it.”

            “OK, Gabriella said. “What about the other stuff?”

            “If you want to be better at the piano, you simply have to practice. Set aside time every day and you’ll keep improving. And as for Janie, why don’t you invite both Janie and Chloe over for a play date? Janie doesn’t need to choose. There’s no reason why you have to lose Janie just because Chloe moved to your class. Maybe she’ll become a good friend as well.” She fluffed Gabriella’s pillow. “And as for your last request, you’re right. We should spend more time together. Starting tomorrow, Daddy and I will set aside Gabriella time each evening. We’ll read stories, play games, have a tea party, or anything else you’d like.”

            Gabriella let out another yawn, then smiled up at Carolyn. “Thanks, Mommy. This might be the best new year’s ever.”

            Carolyn kissed Gabriella’s forehead and switched off the light. She moved into the hallway, but didn’t go back to the room where the rest of the family and guests were still chatting. She leaned against the wall and closed her eyes, silently sending up a prayer.

“God, thank you for my sweet Gabriella. Please help me be a good mother to her. Thank you for giving me wisdom to raise her well. Thank you for showing me through her, there is nothing magic that changes with the new year. The change has to come from within ourselves, from Your strength. Please help me follow the path you’ve already laid out for me this new year. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

            She moved back to the living room where her husband caught her eye. “Everything OK?” he asked.

            She nodded. “I think it just might be a good new year after all.”

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!  2 Corinthians 5:17

Dear Lord, it may be a new year, but You never change. Please help us commit ourselves to you anew this year and reveal to us your plans for us in this new year. Help us to keep Your priorities as our priorities. In Jesus’ name, Amen.