by Glyn Harries – Senior Schools Worker

I'm currently looking at my new years resolutions for 2008. They consisted of the following:

1) Write More

2) Keep in touch with old friends

3) Spend as little money as possible for 12 months

4) Wake up earlier

5) Go to bed earlier

6) Exercise more

7) Eat healthier

And as I look back on a year of writing less to old friends as I spend money on late nights out so I can lie in and sit around eating McDonalds, I can't help but wander: what's the point in even trying? We all know that the act of making resolutions is about as futile as trying to explain the concept of transubstantiation to your cat so why do we bother?

I think people love making resolutions because resolutions bring hope. We believe that we can be better. We can be healthier, stronger, nicer, more talented. We can be happier and more fulfilled. We make resolutions because there will always be a part of us that believes the future can be better than the past. And this hope seems to translate whether you've had a horrible year or the best year of your life.

As slaves in Babylon, the Israelites were offered a massive slice of this hope through the prophet Jeremiah when he delivered this message from God:

"for I know the plans I have for you...plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11)

In the midst of their darkest days, the Israelites were promised that there were better times ahead. A far brighter future than they could imagine.

I look back at 2008 and, despite not having grown and developed in the ways I had planned with my resolutions, I have been incredibly blessed this year. I have made some great friends, learnt some important lessons and made some really exciting decisions. And it has been a great year for SYM as well. We have been blessed with team, lessons, some amazing young people and a director. 2008 was a good year. But as I look forward to this brand spanking new year and as I take heed of the promises of God I can't help but allow hope to bubble up inside me as I wander...could 2009 be even better?

This year is going to raise a lot of trials and a lot of challenges for SYM. We need more money, more people, more opportunities to name but a few. But as we stand surrounded by the love, prayer and support of so many in Chelmsford we can't help but soak in the promise that was first made to a nation of slaves all those thousands of years ago: God plans to give us a hope and a future.

All of us here at SYM truly wish you a happy new year and we hope and pray that 2009, for you, really will be better than the last.

08.01.2009