By James B. Ewers Jr. Ed. D.
Each day is a blessing, and we receive unmerited favor. Our ups outweigh our downs. Our good times are more than our bad times.
The year 2024 is almost over. What happened to it and where did it go? Our country had a little of everything happen to it and in it. Bad weather displaced thousands of residents. Now, they are trying to rebuild. Many scientists involved in climate change say that the earth’s atmosphere was the cause.
The Olympics showcased our country’s finest athletes, and they made us proud. Being an Olympic athlete is quite an honor and distinction. All the hard work and training paid off. Congratulations to them.
College and professional teams gave us a lot to cheer about over the year. Some games have become instant classics.
There were also some noteworthy upsets. You know the winners and the losers. Sports are an important part of our culture.
The presidential election was held just a few weeks ago. It was unprecedented in our nation’s history as we had the first African American woman, Kamala Harris, running for president. Vice President Harris made an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of we the people.
If you are a little girl of color, the window of opportunity has opened a little wider for you.
To end the year, we will be celebrating Christmas in the coming weeks. Children will still leave milk and cookies for Santa, hoping for that special gift under the tree.
I have seen many Christmas holidays and like you, have a lot of stories about them. Let us remember that Jesus is the reason for the season.
Of course, Thanksgiving gave us the chance to share with family and friends. The turkey was our favorite dish. If you live in Louisiana, you had gumbo, too. The day after Thanksgiving was Black Friday, and shopping was at an all-time high. Folks got the best deals at the lowest prices.
In years gone by, we would wait in line at stores for hours waiting to get those deals. Now, in addition to Black Friday, there is also Cyber Monday when we shop online.
Being thankful is more than just an expression, it is a way of living. It is how we see life. In other words, the glass is always half-full, not half-empty.
Recently our church had its annual fall revival. It was uplifting and affirmed, for Christians like me, who is in charge and who sits on the throne. His address is heaven.
We left those revival messages with a strong feeling of being empowered, knowing we can still be difference-makers.
Some of this year’s problems will be front and center next year. For example, food insecurity remains a problem in America. I am troubled by the richest country in the world not being able to feed all its people.
The Divine Nine, which was active in the election, could develop a national food insecurity movement. It could be called “Hungry No More.” I hope a Divine Nine member reads this and thinks it is a good idea.
Treating each other with dignity and respect must also be a priority for us. Tempers and tantrums must decrease. Care and kindness must increase.
We must stop being the top story on the evening news for the wrong reasons. As we keep ourselves safe, we must keep our children and grandchildren safe as well. We must provide them with a blueprint of hope and encouragement.
While we will face some unknowns, our hope must remain undisturbed. Our thanks for life, family, and friends must stay intact. Let us keep our heads high and our shoulders strong. We will not let people or policies rule or ruin our lives.
Don’t worry, let’s be happy for this day. Tomorrow will come with its own set of new blessings. Always know and remember we are blessed and highly favored.
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