The old year has gone, yet I’ve hardly noticed. I am already
so ensconced in the ‘new’ one that it already seems old. Barely just over half
way through the first month, and it feels as if we have been in 2018 for EVER.
Yet, I carry within me the memories and habits of an old
year. I wonder how – if – they will become ‘new’; or will I just carry on doing
the same old, same old?
So I look back, again, at the ‘old’. The old year was full
of friendship and fun but also, if I am honest, what seems like a lot of
STRIVING. What seems like a lot of Hard Work.
For I value friends and family and the fun they bring more
than I can say. Heart friends are in my DNA: I cannot live without them. I long
to linger over dinner, share sorrows in cups of tea or glasses of wine, giggle
with glee and a cup of cold coffee... and make opportunities for this to
happen. I invite and arrange and organise.
I find it hard to just BE.
I suspect many of us are like this. Many of us are activitists
and doers. Go-getters and grabbers,
snatching at snippets of socialization. Secretly dreading desertion or
discouragement, refusals and rejection. Trying to make sure that we stay
protected with others’ approval and love.
Unwilling to step out, only baring our souls in safety.
Nothing wrong with that, of course. We need to be wise who
we share with, who we open up to. Yet, elusively, I can’t help feeling that I
need to find a better way.
Bonnie Gray(Whispers
of Rest) writes in timely manner: “When
you return to a place of peace in Jesus’ arms of love and complete
understanding, your heart will open like petals to the sunlight. And in that
place of rest, your heart will hear God’s gentle whisper to do as you feel
prompted with His hand in yours. HIS LOVE WILL GIVE YOU COURAGE TO DO WHAT YOU
MUST DO.”
“I had to own my story
in order to fix my story.
It takes one brave
chick to admit that her life is not quite shaping up to be the life she
envisioned. It takes courage to assess your disappointment, realize where
you’ve been disenchanted, and identify the source of your distress.
It’s human nature to
hide our shortcomings, disappointments, and mistakes. We tend to avoid the
truth of our vulnerability, of our lack of control, of the pain of our
predicament.
But without confession and admittance of pain, true restoration and
healing cannot begin.
Can I encourage you to
own your story? Will you choose to be honest about your pain and seek help and
healing? As much as you may not want to stop or pause the ride of your life to
do so, here’s what I can tell you for sure — whatever has happened in your
life, good, bad, or ugly — you have survived. You are still here. Honor your
life by being honest about your story and then taking brave steps to get
whatever help you need to heal.”
I may not feel as if I need to ‘heal’, but I do. So looking
back on the pain can prepare us for the future....
So...
REFLECT
REST
BE REVITALIZED
Let’s rediscover our gifts:
“One thing is for
sure…God has created you with a distinct purpose in mind. He’s given you
something only you can give to the world.
Friends, my prayer for
you today is that you’ll begin to see the gifts inside you. That someone in
your life will see those gifts in you and encourage you to share your gifts
with others.
And if you see a
hidden gem of beauty — a special gift — inside someone else, tell them today.
Be the one who gives the gift of encouragement to those around you. Indeed,
encouragement is one of the kindest gifts we can give.” Denise J
Hughes at Incourage.me
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