My brother Jay posted a bunch of pictures recently on Facebook, taken from a family album. Many of them included my mother when she was a very young woman, posing with Jay, my sister Lynn and myself as youngsters. There were a couple of her when she was still a teenager, just before she married my father. I have just glanced at them, avoiding the inevitability of what is rising up from the depths of my soul as I share this with you. I am very sad at the moment and feel alone.
My mom (her name is Jane) was my hiding place from the storms. She was sweet and gentle. She spoiled us with her Love. I could never get enough of her, regardless of how much she would give. And then, without any warning, she could give no more. She died suddenly at the age of thirty-seven and left my father without a helpmate. . .and three kids alone with their grief and sadness. . .and asking, “Why Lord”? I ask Him that to this day, when grief and sorrow fills my soul like it is right now. I feel so alone. . .but not left alone long. . .and not left without an answer from Him.
“To everything, there is a season. A time for every purpose under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. . .a time to kill and a time to heal. . .a time to weep and a time to laugh. . .a time to mourn and a time to dance.”
My parents would always celebrate New Year’s Eve by joining a group of friends 
at a neighborhood “watering hole” as it was called, back in the day and they would get soaked from head to toe. I would hear them laughing and clowning around when they got home. My grandmother, Svea who lived with us and baby sat when my folks would go out, would tell me the next day about the antics the night before. I loved to hear my mother’s laughter. As I got older, I heard less and less. . .and it saddened me that she was so burdened at times.
Today, it’s New Year’s Eve, 2020. This will be my seventy-fourth celebration. The earth has celebrated thousands. . .and some believe millions. But these are only a drop in the ocean compared to how many God has celebrated. Which leads us to the very first New Year’s Eve celebration. There were only three Celebrants who Participated and the universe had not yet been Created. It happened during a period referred to as Eternity past.
There are three frames of reference for existence: Eternity past, which is existence before time; Time, which is existence from the creation of the universe till the end of time; and, Eternity future, which is existence after time is over. Eternity comprises an infinite measure. Eternity past had no beginning and Eternity future will have no end. Time is finite and measurable, and therefore has a beginning and an end.
Eternity past was inhabited by only God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. They dwelt together in Love, because God is Love. They Delighted in each other and They Delighted in the coming of the first year, for it was the rising of the Son on all that was to be created. They were celebrating everything that was to arrive and be born in time. . .having predestined everything that would happen in every way, shape and form. Everything. But most importantly, they Delighted in what was going to happen to the objects of their Eternal Love, the apple of Their eye. . . the sheep of Their flock.
“I have made an everlasting, eternal covenant (contract) with you. . .predetermined in all things and sure. . .I have Loved you with an everlasting Love; therefore with Loving-kindness I will draw you to Me at the exact moment determined by My Love. . .My Delights were with the sons of men, the sheep of my flock .”
It was my Mom’s destiny to die when I was sixteen. A time for every purpose 
under heaven. In Eternity past, on the eve of the first day of creation, God the Father celebrated choosing my Mom to be one of His. God, the Son celebrated the moment in time when He would die for her so she would be acquitted and found not guilty and cleansed from all sin. God, the Holy Spirit celebrated, knowing that at a particular moment in time, He would draw her with Love and Mercy and fill my Mom with a Faith that has carried her into Eternity with Him.
The First New Year’s Eve celebration and resolution. To find His lost sheep and bring them home. God’s resolutions all become a reality in His children. He who spared not His own son, but gave him up for us all; how will He not also along with the Gift of Christ, freely give us all things.
A Good Moment 