When time stood still and passed so quickly . . . my description of 2016.
And maybe we can say the same for the years before and to come, because it seems the clock and the world keep spinning out of control. And it should make a difference in our swift life – so as 2016 ends, how has it made a difference for you? In you.
That’s a loaded question for me. Everything.
We have one day and tomorrow until another year comes to a close, you may feel like leaving the past 363 in the dust. Because there comes a time when we all need a new start. When I consider the collection of days that made up the past year, I missed more than I noticed. By choice. I was trying hard not to notice loss and pain. But, every day becomes another page in our story, and when we ignore the moments – it remains blank.
And so, we must embrace the moments – even those hard to hold.
This year has been one marked with sadness and transition for our family, and there is much I’d like to forget, but what I don’t want to forget is how God uses it to make a difference in my life. So, I write it down. I preserve the mercy in a journal.
There is nothing magical about turning a calendar page. The bag we drag may be so heavy we can’t take another step to safely walk onto the page of January 1st. Life situations and stained-up memories can’t mysteriously be torn away with the sheets of an annual agenda – oh, but they can – if we choose to see them differently in perfect abandon.
Peace isn’t the absence of trials and challenges – peace comes from holding tight to the One who manages the mess and cleans up the spills of life. For me, and maybe for you, there is much that closes this year that will still be there when we celebrate this new year. But so will He . . . .
My prayer for you in 2017 is to trust God for the unknown path ahead and for the one He just walked you through – and to cherish and preserve the mercy-moments.
Verna
I love you and you always point us to a new perspective. Happy New Year, my friend.
Thank you Verna, for sharing your faith and life journey with us through the written word. You express so beautifully how we all feel. Wishing you abundant health and happiness in the New Year!
I love the idea of cherishing the mercy moments! Hope to spend a few of those mercy moments with you in the coming year
Thanks Verna for the encouragement and wise perspective! May you continue to experience the Lord right by your side in 2017!
Verna, I love the way you are able to step outside of yourself and view your life from God’s perspective. You help give perspective to mine.
Love you my friend. Praying for you as you look at all the what next questions. May our Father gave you new vision as you watch Him lad your every step.
Oops. I meant lead, not lad. ?
I so appreciate your comments. Reminding us that even in the midst of difficult circumstances, He is there to lead us one step at a time. The longer I walk with Him the more I realize that the will of God will never take me to a place that the grace of God won’t meet me. Bless you, my sister.
Kathy,
Great to see your comments here on Verna’s blog. I hope you and Mike are doing well.
I still have precious memories of our time together years go.
Have a blessed New Year!
Beautiful.