A time to reflect

Nearly everyone takes a moment or two this time of year, to reflect on the past year.  We are called upon to remember this past year.  Remember the political, cultural and financial news.  Remember the celebrities who passed away and try to focus on the various situations that were apart of your life the past 12 months. Some keep journals and diaries and read through the events of the past 52 weeks. While others close their eyes and think real hard and take an arm-chair inventory or review of the highlights of 2016. Which ever way you stop to reflect, I do invite you to pause and remember.  Some of the memories evoke beauty, and some are painful and we would just as soon forget all about them. There are “markers” as we travel through our lives. Some are milestones and others more like millstones. Whether happy or sad or melancholy we need to reflect for a at least a little while.  Since we hurry from one event to the next, or scatter from one app to the next.  It is good to slow down and think things over!  What happened in the past year that we want to celebrate?  If only for a moment.  There will be a few things we just as soon forget, but the painful detour may serve as a warning sign of things to avoid in 2017. Much of our lives fall somewhere between hilarity and heartbreak.  For most the majority of our 2016 days were crammed full of the mundane and the ordinary stuff of life.  So, to recap some of 2016 was fantastic, some not so much, and a good portion was fairly or mostly okay.  In essence it is called “life.”  Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, For His lovingkindness is everlasting. Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, That is the perspective of the psalmist.  Thanks is given to the God who is good, who is everlasting.  If we are the redeemed we should say so, or we should be in agreement!  In the good times as well as the bad, the response of the redeemed is thanksgiving.  As 2016 slips away and 2017 starts, we should take some time to offer thanks to God for His protection and goodness to us throughout the year.

Some of us will write down New Years Resolutions, some will not, some feel that resolutions go in one year and out the other.  The ending of the old year and beginning of the New Year is a great time to take stock, to let go of the past and embrace the future.  To give it all to the Lord, and committing our future into His hands. As we reflect on the past year I am sure there are some changes we can make, and some things we will do differently as well. What things are you going to work on in the new year?  Is there a skill you would like to develop?

I am thankful for the many opportunities afforded me.  I am thankful for the people that cross my path, for the impact they have as well as lessons learned from the life experiences of those who are in or pass through my life.  In 2017 I want to be kinder, more gracious, and more understanding.  Together with the Lord’s help we will walk through 2017 and seek to HIs will!   Thanks for being a part of my life.  I am better for knowing you!

This post was written by Dr Ron Blake.  You can find his original post here:  wesleyshorse.com/a-time-to-reflect/

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