One Foot in Front of the Other
Personal Wellness Blog
by Shawn Maassel
During the Advent-Christmas season you may have (like me) enjoyed watching the old, animated children’s Christmas. One of my favorites, Santa Claus is Coming to Town has a surprisingly great message as we kick off 2026, a new year!
There are two reasons I love this story so much. Not only does Miss Jessica (Kris Kringle’s future Mrs. Claus in the story) look just like my first-grade teacher at Trinity Lutheran School in Jackson, Michigan (side note) but grumpy Winter Warlock turns nice and helpful. I love a turn-around, a make-over of sorts. Mr. Warlock’s transformation comes as a result of Kris’ kindness. He doesn’t give up on this grumpy potential friend. Instead, he gives him a gift and encourages him with a song. That song contains the New Year’s message I referenced.
The Southeastern District cares about its church workers and their families and wants to encourage that we each make an intentional effort to live well in the new year. One of the ways we can do that is by “putting one foot in front of the other. Soon we’ll be walking ‘cross the floor. If we just put one foot in front of the other, soon we’ll be walking out the door. We’ll never will get where we’re going if we never get up on our feet. Come on, there’s a good tail wind blowin’! A fast-walking man is hard to beat. Put one foot in front of the other, and soon we’ll be walking ‘cross the floor. We put one foot in front of the other And soon we’ll be walking out the door. If we want to change our direction, and if our time of life is at hand, well, don’t be the rule. Be the exception. A good way to start is to stand.” (Edited lyrics from Santa Claus is Coming to Town, 1970)
Putting one foot in front of the other may look different for each of us, depending on our area of our focus on improving wellness. But it essentially means taking the ‘next step’.
Wellness is a reflection of our walks with the Lord. Because, regardless of our circumstances, we can live well, with grateful and peace-filled hearts and minds. The apostle Paul taught this in his letter to the Philippians (4:11-12) and then adds an encouragement in verse 13.
And our District has tools to help us live well. In its ‘Move It’ campaign this year you will be encouraged to check out your current health plan’s wellness tools. Concordia Plan Services has Vitality which offers incentives for participation. Check it out and sign up! Then, let the District know you have done so. Make a resolution to ‘move it’ and let them know that as well.
Other plans (we use Carefirst BC/BS in our household) offer similar programs. Again, sign up to participate and let the District know.
And if you could use a little extra encouragement or coaching, the SED can guide you to that as well.
Don’t let a new year get you down. Look forward to the opportunities a fresh start can provide (and this means daily!) And, with the Lord’s help, put one foot in front of the other to change the direction you are going to a path of greater wellness, in order to serve the Lord with gladness.
Shawn Maassel is a retired church worker, having served First Lutheran Church & Little Lambs Preschool (Huntingtown, MD) for 25 years. She continues volunteering at FLC & LLPS, leads fitness classes for Body & Soul Fitness® and Bible studies with First Place 4 Health. She enjoys time with her husband and traveling to visit their long-distance children and grandsons. Follow her other blogs and posts at: inhiscourts.com and on YouTube.