Life of the Party

You may have already sent out your New Years' celebration invitations, but let me encourage you to invite one more guest.

My friend Grace, yes, the world's worst street preacher. While not a prominent guest, I assure you she'll be the life of the party.

This is what you can expect of her during any New Years Eve celebration.

If you've had a great year, she'll want to hear about it and cheer you on into the new year. If you've had a year you'd like to forget, she'd listen to your story or sit with you and be present. She knows when the laugh and when to cry.

If your phone is full of great memories from this last year, my friend Grace will rejoice with you over each memory. And she'll put her arm around your shoulder if you feel like your phone has nothing of note to share.

If the new year will require you to walk another exhausting mile in one direction or start a new path, Grace is prepared to walk with you. Her words to you on the journey ahead are hopeful; you will hear her say, "I'll be with you always."

She'll attend massive celebrations and cheer with the crowd as the clock strikes midnight. She'll be in the living room of families with young children fighting colds, letting them know that this is all part of life. I also know Grace will be with those who are alone on New Years’ Eve; my hope is they will hear her say, "You're no less human; you can celebrate too because you're not alone in this story."

Friend, wherever you are today, I pray that Grace will find you now and in the coming year.

Happy New Year!