If you grew up when I did, you'll remember the rotary dial telephones or push-button phones. When I was a little girl, our rotary dial phone hung on a wall in the kitchen. But telephone conversations barely made it out of the kitchen, because the cord would only stretch so far.     

A little phone trivia: Bell Telephone launched an ad campaign in the 70s with a musical jingle that began, "Reach out and touch someone..." The idea was to foster connections with friends or loved ones. One such commercial showed a mother and son catching up on the latest family news, another calling a friend to say hello, and a grandfather reading a bedtime story to his grandchild.    

Reaching out. It's what being human is all about, isn't it? We reach out to others, and they reach out to us. At least that's the intent. But life isn't perfect. We're frequently occupied taking care of the "stuff" it takes for us to live, and our time is not always our own.   

So, life isn't perfect, and neither are we. We do our best to reach out to others; yet, sometimes, we are the ones who need the helping hand. But there is One who is is perfect: Jesus. His mission on earth was to reach out to people everywhere He went. Carrying out the will of His Father in Heaven, He taught about God's Word and revealed He was the Son of God and the way to Salvation.    

The telephone technology of yesteryear is gone, replaced with the advanced cellular models we now hold in our hands. But, no matter how advanced the technology becomes, it will never be human. We still have to make the phones perform to make the connections we wish to make with others. And I am certain without a doubt that it's part of God's plan for us to reach out to others--just as he reaches out to us.    

But, no earthly technology can compare with "divine technology." God's "prayer line" is available twenty-four hours per day, without interruption, and at no cost. And the benefits? Well, they're "out of this world." 
     
So, how will you reach out to others today? 

[However, if it's the kind of day when you are reaching out in need, know that the Lord is close at hand and He eagerly awaits your calling upon Him in prayer. He cares about you and  loves you more than you will ever know!]    
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"Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God."
    - Romans 15:7-17
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." - John 3:16 

P.S. - If you leave a message in the comment box and are in need of prayer, I would be glad to pray for you.     

[Photo: N. Johnson]

The New Year's celebrations are over, and you may have already stashed the Christmas decorations away for the next twelve months, or watered the Christmas Poinsettia in hopes of keeping it looking fresh a bit longer.   

Likewise, you may have redeemed Christmas gift cards or begun putting Christmas gifts to good use. "Newness" is exciting, isn't it, whether using new things--or putting plans or goals into place on your 2023 calendar?      

As we return to our routines, it isn't long before the new days of the year have slipped into weeks, then months. Before we know it, the newness of the things we received for Christmas--or the goals or resolutions we made for the new year--may begin to wane. We may hardly realize it is happening until each day begins to feel like, well--ordinary sameness.               

Yet, after the newness wanes, may we remind ourselves that our soul does not have to succumb to ordinary sameness? Wake-up, soul! For in this new year you have been gifted with three-hundred sixty-five days of opportunity!    
  
We stow away Christmas decorations, but there is something that we don't need to put away--the "Happy New Year" greeting. And why, do you ask? Because there is more to it than we realize. The new year comes, but how often (or how long) do we focus on the "Happy" and the "New" in that phrase? 

From this perspective, what will your soul's "Happy New" be this year? In other words, what new opportunity, idea, thought, hope, dream, or desire will ignite your passion, make you feel excited to get up each morning?      

Here is a challenge for you. Fill in the blank: What will your "Happy New" be this year? _________. (For example, a "Happy New" hope could be one of intention to make a difference each day). Choose a word that will be most fitting for you.         

May your "Happy New" result in a "Happy New You!" that will allow your soul to grow and flourish as effortlessly as the spring seedling in the photo above. May your walk on the path toward your goals, hopes, and dreams for 2023 be one that carries you onward and upward!   

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold the new has come." - 2 Cor. 5:17
"For it was You who created my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I will praise You because I have been fearfully and wonderfully made." - Psalms 139:13-14

Photo courtesy of Vecteezy.com