I must say I welcome 2018 with a bang. It’s pretty memorable, peculiar and definitely unexpected thing happened on the very first day of the year.
One of the things I must be grateful for is growing up in a Christian family. I belong to a kind of family who doesn’t set up some parties on New Year’s eve neither attending family reunions. No karaoke, No games, No beer, No fireworks but merely welcome the holiday with prayer and devotion. It might sound boring to most of my friends but for me, it’s exceptional and fulfilling.
We always gather together in the living room and oblige by our parents to bring our own Bible. It started off with an opening prayer led by my mom then followed by praise & worship songs. My dad initiated reading the Bible passages found in Matthew 10:26-30King James Version (KJV)
26 Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.
27 What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.
28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.
30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+10%3A26-30&version=KJV
It reminds us to fear God above all else because He alone who is able to destroy both soul and body, not our boss at work, our partners, friends, not the fear of losing our job or concern about the food to eat everyday. So, let us focus on bringing back all the Glory to Him alone.
Aside from Bible sharing, we discussed all the ups & downs from the previous year and shared our plans & request for the new year. I should say this kind of activity is always the highlight in our family every New Year’s eve.
Of course it doesn’t end like that, it’s not as boring we are as you think. We also have time to fill in ourselves with some ready-to-eat food since everyone is busy most of the time in our family business especially during the Holiday season.
Morning came of Jan 1st when a group of 4 people knocked our door. I didn’t know what to do when my younger brother informed me that they were looking for me. It was the first time I felt like crazy, ashamed, and surprised at the same time because they were the parents of the guy whom my aunt paired me with. It was a very insane idea that I met the parents first before the guy and felt like I was engaged on an instant marriage since both parties got along pretty well. But, how about me and the guy??! So, just imagine yourself if you were in my shoes. The pressure is on!
Good thing, time was limited when they visited our house because we were about to travel to the next city or else I might have broke into a cold sweat.
Fast forward, we arrived in Butuan City past 2 o’clock in the afternoon. I couldn’t contain the happiness I had because it was for the very first time our family was complete traveling outside of our hometown. Also, we were able to twist our parents’ arm for checking in the hotel even just for one night. Just so you know that both of them are always busy managing our family business. So, as much as possible they didn’t want to stay longer. That’s how responsible and hardworking my parents are that they tend to forget enjoying themselves outside of business.
Furthermore, it was also first time that we watched the movie together at the cinema. Oh, how I wish that day wouldn’t last. A lot of “first-time” happened on the very first day of 2018. Thank God for the gift of family. Indeed, it was one-of-kind New Year’s day!