For most of my life, January has been an anxiety-producing event and always very long.  I can understand how the Roman god Janus felt; looking longingly at the past year and fretting nervously about the new year that looms ahead.  This year may be the exception to this generalization given the events of 2020.  However, my feelings about the first month have not changed significantly over the years.

I love to savor and enjoy the Christmas season.  I like to make the most of the concerts, dinners and church services.  I am sad to see the Christmas season move into the past.   It’s my favorite time of the year!

However, for most of my professional career, January brought the start of the hectic Vermont legislative session complete with the challenging responsibilities of a legislator and then a lobbyist.  I saw action from the legislative and the lobbying sides for over 20 years.  It was a harrowing and rewarding experience.  There were times when I just didn’t think that I would physically make it through the month.

Each year, I met January with a degree of trepidation that tested my composure and my patience.   I am grateful to be here today, enjoying the gifts of each day; to be present to all the benefits in my life.  However, I had to pass through those crazy Januarys to arrive in this place; to enjoy the next Christmas.

It’s strange to think back to those frantic days and realize that I did survived each January.  Here’s how I did it then.  Here’s how I do it now.  I follow the directions of this little slogan:  I can’t.  God can.  I think I’ll let Him.

This is another act of complete surrender to a Power who is greater than I am.  It is the first tenet of the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous.  It is a concept that applies to any situation, even just getting up in the morning and starting the day.  You and I can always turn over our lives and our wills to God, who loves you and me unconditionally.  Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do so much more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us,

And, after January comes February – the shortest month!

Terri