Reminiscing/Remembering

Reminiscing/Remembering

What does the New Year look like for you?   Are you dreading it or looking forward to it?  Do you have hopes or dreams?  What would you like to change?  This last question may be difficult especially if you have gone through a big change in your life. 

A few years ago, I attended a seminar on navigating the Seasons of Life.  Depending on your stage of life, you may have gone through several stages.  Some of the things we talked about were soul searching, looking back from our early years of life and thinking about each decade of our lives.  Towards the end of the seminar, we were encouraged to write a letter to ourselves as if we were 18 years old and base the letter on what we had learned throughout our lives – both positive and negative.  The one thing that helped me was giving myself advice as an 18 year old based on what I had learned.

As I was writing ‘my letter’ it has caused me to reflect on so many things in my life.  One scripture that says it all to me is:  Proverbs 27:19 reads:  As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person. This certainly hit home to me. 

We certainly cannot go back and change what has happened.  However, we certainly can reflect and with the guidance from God, listen to what He has for us.  How can we help others based on what we have gone through?

For many of you this is a concept that may seem too difficult to even think about.  You may be in the depth of your grief or life is just too hard to imagine going forward with a new journey alone.  God promises in Hebrews 13:5b: Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.

Consider taking a look backwards to move forwards…….

• Based on your early years and what you know now, what advice would you give yourself as an 18 year old?
• Make a list of changes in your life since then.  Things such as moves, marriage, children, highlights from those you have lost.
• Where are you at in your life within the last few years?
• What positive things have happened since your loss?

Remember we cannot change what has happened!  However, with God’s help, we can become what God has planned for us in our future.  John 14:26 reads:  But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

Be patient with yourself and take one step at a time!  Before you know it, you will be helping someone who is going on this journey and looking for advice.  Luke 1:37 says:  For the work of God will never fail.  God’s timing may not be our timing but His timing is perfect.

Blessings to each of you……..