“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; He will never leave you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6
Happy New Year! I pray that you had a wonderful and relaxing Christmas celebration with family and friends.
Over the break, I was very blessed to catch up with loved ones and do a few things that I normally don’t have time to enjoy. One such event was going to the movies; this break, I was able to see a few really great movies, one being “Migration” with my grandchildren.
"Migration" is about a family of ducks, but their interactions and conflicts are very similar and relatable to human families. Throughout the movie, we watched this family encounter parent/child tensions, sibling rivalry, and angry adolescent behavior. Nevertheless, the Mallard family always came back to the main theme of loving and supporting one another.
However, there was one intense scene when the Mallard family encountered an old heron couple. Herons are usually enemies of mallards in the animal kingdom, and in the movie, there is a true concern that the old heron couple is going to eat the Mallard family. The dramatic music and brilliant cinematography truly enhanced the intensity of the scene, and in a blink of an eye, my four-year-old grandson was instantly in my lap with the pleading request of “Hold me Nana!”
Isn’t it amazing how the sense of a hug, embrace, or a clasp of a hand can provide an immediate sense of relief and security?
As we begin this New Year, let us all remember that our Heavenly Father wants us to experience 2024 by holding onto His hand each and every day. Each step of the way, Jesus wants us to cling to Him and walk at His pace. He doesn’t want us to try to get ahead of Him or lag behind the path that He has planned for us. He is always present as our source of wisdom, comfort, and strength throughout each daily event; He has us constantly in His sight.
What peace and joy it is to have such a faithful companion!
Wishing you a very joyous and happy New Year in Him!
Mrs. Palka