Ring the Bells

 

"The birds they sang at the break of day
Start again
I heard them say
Don't dwell on what has passed away
or what is yet to be..

  Ring the bells that still can ring
forget your perfect offering
there is a crack in everything
that's how the light gets in..."

 

These lyrics from the Leonard Cohen song "Anthem" came to mind this morning when I asked for a message and they seem perfect for today. What better time than New Years Day to remind ourselves to "start again" and "ring the bells" to celebrate whatever light gets through the cracks in the fabric of our lives.

No matter where we are, whether going through a period of abundance and joy or a time of difficulty and challenge, it's important to allow the light to shine through our imperfect vessels, knowing that we are always living in a state of grace and wonder, no matter our circumstances.

There is always cause for celebration, if only for the little things, if only for what we have left at whatever point we are. There is always good, there is always joy, even in the midst of an imperfect world full of imperfect people.

None of us will ever be perfect as long as we are alive in human bodies. We will never have a "perfect offering", but we can give thanks for what we do have and offer what we are able, to God and to whomever is in our circle of influence. We can offer prayers for this imperfect world, holding its pain for a moment and then releasing it to the One who transforms it into goodness.