On beginning the year of 2009

Being a writer, I always equate the first day of a new year to the blank page in a new journal. As I open the notebook and leaf through its empty pages, the potential for what I will write there is limitless.

However, from being a journal keeper for nearly thirty-five years, I know some of my entries will be sad and painful, as well as joyous and funny. That is the nature of life.

As the world enters the new year of 2009, the pages are blank and no human knows what this year holds. Never in my adult life have I seen such uncertainty and concern. From war and confusion in all corners of the world to an economic meltdown that has shaken the confidence of many, we face uncertain days ahead.

The end of 1939 was much like that... especially in Europe. War had commenced with the German invasion of Poland and subsequent involvement of most of the continent's nations.

In England, the days were especially dark. In was in this bleak time at Christmas 1939 that King George VI made his annual Christmas message to the British people.

He quoted from a familiar poem by Minnie Haskins entitled "The Gate of the Year."


"I said to the man who stood at the Gate of the Year,

"Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown."

And he replied, "Go out into the darkness, and put your hand into the hand of God.

That shall be to you better than light, and safer than a known way"


The rest of the King's speech is lost in the past, but his appropriate use of this inspiring poem stirred the British people, as it still stirs us over a half century later.

It's a good poem and thought as we enter a new uncertain year.
God is in control.
There is no panic in Heaven.

As long as we hold onto his hand and follow his guidance, we'll be all right.

". . .my God shall supply all of your needs according to his riches in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19

Blessings for a new year from The Creekbank in the Louisiana piney woods.

Curt Iles
Creekbank Stories www.creekbank.net
PO Box 332
Dry Creek, LA 70637

e-mail us at curtiles@aol.com

1 866 520 1947