by Pam Beadle
The Bible tells us that seasons are ordained by God: seasons related to the climate, but also seasons in life. The great book of wisdom, Ecclesiastes, talks about a season for everything: birth, death, tearing down, building up, crying, laughing, lamenting, and cheering. While seasons change, God does not - and I’m so grateful.
When I prepare to flip the calendar to a new year, I often find myself caught between reflecting on the past and anticipating a fresh new start. Both are good exercises for me. Celebrating and remembering the good times come easily; the hard things not so much. Recently, I’ve expanded my definition of grief beyond the physical loss of a person to any event that disrupts or challenges my sense of normalcy or myself. It could be the loss of a person, a dream, a job, a child moving out, a change in health, aging - really ANY CHANGE in my life.
Celebrating wins and acknowledging grief put me in a much better position to turn toward the future with hope and anticipate what’s to come.
I anticipate by asking myself two questions: How did I grow and what am I hoping for? I usually think through my spiritual life, my relationships, and work life. I encourage you to find a little quiet space and time and do some reflecting and anticipating all while anchoring yourself in the unchanging nature of God.
“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.”
Hebrews 6:19.
With love,
Pam Beadle.
Comments