January 2020 Monthly Letter

Dear ORM Reconciler,

Another year has come and gone. I would like to wish you and your family a safe and happy year.

One evening last month, I looked out of my kitchen window and saw a large, bright moon. The next day I heard it was the last full moon of the decade. That was a shock to me because I forget that we are not only entering a new year, but a new decade. With that in mind, I took some time to examine my own personal growth over the previous decade and to consider the state of our nation.

If you watch the news you may hear comments such as:

1. The new year will bring in a divided nation.
2. People are becoming more and more unkind to each other.
3.  We need to push back hate toward one another.
4.  We need something to hope for.

I also heard a few heart-warming stories like the one about a five-year-old girl who set up a stand to sell cookies and hot chocolate to raise money to pay off school lunch bills at her school.

As we enter the new decade, we know that everyone will not treat others with love and respect, but God has given us advice for self-improvement so we can be good examples to others.

Roman 12:10: “Love one another with mutual affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”

I Thessalonians 4:9: “We have been taught by God to love one another.”

Hebrews 13:1: “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing so, some have entertained angels without knowing it.”

Once again, I am reminded of a message I heard about the new year. Everything about the future is uncertain but one thing is for sure: God has already planned our tomorrows; we just have to trust Him today.

Things won’t change until we all change. Let’s continue to change ourselves and set the example for the world. May our God continue to bless and keep you in the new decade.