All things new

All things new

A new year! The years are getting shorter, or so it sometimes seems to me. Maybe we go into this new year having made resolutions, having hopes, dreams, uncertainties or fears. For all of us it marks the beginning of a journey into 2009 and all that it means. It can be a time of excitement or apprehension or a mixture of both.

At Barnabas we feel that an important aspect of our work is to encourage Faith at Home. The ideas that follow are ways in which an individual or a family can use the senses to explore the idea of ‘new beginnings’ in the home.

Hearing:

Take a bucket of water. Have some pebbles and larger stones available.

As you go into this new year, write down or think about the things that you are excited about and that you are looking forward to and those things that might concern you or that seem uncertain.

Take one pebble for each of those things that are good or exciting. Toss them one at a time into the water. Listen to the sound each pebble makes and silently say 'Thank you' to God for that thing. Take a larger stone for each thing that concerns you. Toss this gently into the water (you may wish to do this outside) and listen to the sound it makes. Tell God what it is that concerns you and ask him to help you.

Then take a moment to be quiet and listen. What can you hear? God can hear everything, including the things you have just told him.

Taste:

Dip apples in honey. Write down the sweet things you have eaten in the last day and thank God for good things.

Dip apples in lemon juice. Write down the sour things you have eaten. Ask God to help you with things that seem sharp or hard in life, like your fears of going into this time.

Sight:

Make a picture board together of photos, brochures, postcards and so on, of things you have done in the last year that have created good memories.

A Prayer to as begin our journey into 2009

You might like to say this either on your own or together with others in your family or with friends.

The Lord Is My Fortress

Live under the protection
of God Most High
and stay in the shadow
of God All-Powerful.
Then you will say to the Lord,
'You are my fortress,
my place of safety;
you are my God,
and I trust you.'

The Lord says,
'If you love me
and truly know who I am,
I will rescue you
and keep you safe.
When you are in trouble,
call out to me.
I will answer and be there
to protect and honor you.'

Psalm 91:1-2, 14-15 (CEV)

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