The Back Page
By Sue Ferguson
We are on the cusp of welcoming in a new year as I write The Back Page for January of 2026. The Christmas lights are still shining in my neighbourhood, brightening the streets up in a cozy way, and Christmas trees still adorn the front windows of many houses too. The busy nature of my life now having a full time job really allows me to appreciate the time that I have to be home and not on a schedule. Just a small tick of the clock will signal our transition into another year. I look at my dog asleep on the sofa and he has no clue about the “new year” or what that means at all. He only cares that I am close by, and that night time consists of slumbering on the sofa with the people he loves and the scents in the air that tell him dinner is not far off. The new year for us that are aware can bring reflection on what has transpired over the past 12 months and beyond, and I think the things we remember are the things that caused us to feel something. We always remember how people and situations make us feel. Births, deaths, bucket list trips, family dinners, the snowflakes of a first snowfall, an unexpected birthday message from someone special, or perhaps not receiving an expected birthday message from a loved one. All of these things elicit emotions in us that we can recall and reflect upon as we “reset” the compass for the year ahead.
I often hear people say “I can't wait for this year to be over”, usually because of a death, a lengthy illness, or other unfortunate happenings in their lives. A new year brings the hope of good things to come, but there will always be more unfortunate circumstances too. After all, we are still here living our Earthly lives. Our final destination will be the place where we won't ever say “That was a bad year, bad day, or bad anything!” For now, having God in our lives helps to soften the blow of those things that hurt us most in this world. I think it is good practice to try and reflect on our lives not just at the end of a year, but at the end of each day. I have a plan for the year to begin to journal. So many things happen in a day at my job (and in my life outside of work too), and I don't want to forget all of the beautiful moments I see and experience. There are hard ones too, and those will also be noteworthy to remind me to think of those folks and situations and to pray for them. Sometimes I wish I could be more like my canine Bennett and just be happy to be in the moment loving sitting on the sofa next to whomever I am sitting there with, not thinking about what I have to do tomorrow or worrying about what to make for dinner for the week. We get so busy in our day to day that we often forget to just stop and be happy and present in the moment. To appreciate the life that God has given us, and to just love on people is sometimes a hard thing to do. To be thankful for the things we have instead of what we are missing is often not our focus. What things are you remembering from 2025, from last week, or maybe even 50 years ago? How has God brought you through those things or how have you reached out to someone because of Him? We don't know what tomorrow brings, but we have to trust that He does, and if we follow His ways and work to be His hands and feet, we don't have to worry. At the end of our days, weeks, and years whatever fires we walk through or celebrations we enjoy, He is there holding us up and softening our tears. I hope at the end of 2025 you are saying “I can't wait to see what the next year brings. What will God do in my life this year?” I hope those things you are reflecting upon from the past have helped you to grow and learn and be blessed. Be like Bennett. Just love the ones you're with because you are in their presence, and be like Jesus, walking a life of unconditional love, forgiveness, and compassion, no matter what time of year.
“Whoever claims to live in Him must live as Jesus did.” – 1 John 2:6
