Energy wavers as you take a deep breath, letting go of the many hectic responsibilities of this past Christmas season.  “A new year is here,” you tell yourself – “Rejoice!”  Perhaps you also find yourself hoping, “If only this year can be calmer, more centered, more prayerful, more peaceful, more purposeful.”  Or, maybe you feel overwhelmed as you anticipate fulfilling some New Year’s resolution you’ve put on your shoulders, or anticipate what it will take to finish up what’s still undone from 2015, or face what you know is “coming down the pike” in 2016.  Perhaps questions swirl around you:  “Will I ever catch up?”  “Will I ever accomplish all I set out to do?”  “Will I have the strength?”

Keith and I helped out at the South Hayward Winter Shelter for a bit last week. On the way home Jovanne had many questions, and I tried to explain the problem of homelessness to him and that we have to help those who have less than we do. He said, "So we have to take the people who don't have a home to our home." I told him our home wasn't big enough for the many people who don't have a home. His reply: "Yes, but every family who has a home can take a person who doesn't have a home." Such a simple solution from a five-year-old.