Letting go, holding on and moving forward…
December 31, 2007, whew! Where did the year go? It seems like just yesterday I was doing my yearly reflections and here I am again.
The last day of the year is always one of reflection and self evaluation for me, where I review my year and decide whether I need to let go, hold on or move forward. Won’t you join me, for an abbreviated journey? Some journeys are always best when taken with friends.
Okay, here we go…
Someone has said or done something, whether deliberately or unknowingly, to wound us this year. On this last day of the year let’s decide to let it go, even if they haven’t acknowledged it.
“…but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14
We all probably entered this year with expectations of great things happening. Some of them came to past and some of them are still dreams waiting to be realized. Hold on to them… Let’s go into the New Year holding on to the thought that although our dreams may not be realized when we want them to, surely in God’s appointed time they shall come to past.
For the vision is yet for an appointed time;
But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.
Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry. Habakkuk 2:3
At some point during this year we may have been less than Christ like and the enemy often tries to bring the memory of past failures to haunt us. However let’s remember the Apostle John’s words and move forward in or walk with God.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 1 John 2:1 (emphasis mine)
Like me, you may have spent this year coming to terms with a great loss. However, at the end of this year I’m finally ready to let go of the grief, hold on to the memories and move forward into a brand new year with the expectation that the same God who kept me through 2007 if I continue to trust him, to hold on to him, to cry out to him he will be with me, keep me, guide and direct me through 2008.
Thank you for sharing the journey with me and thank you ladies of LWG (readers and writers) for encouraging me more than you’ll ever know this year. May God bless you all in the coming New Year.
Good Morning Everyone,
This was a touching post for me. A few days before Christmas, one of my Sister-In-Laws had done something that hurt me very deeply. I was so mad and angry with her. After my Dear Hubby talking to me, I just let it go and forgave her. I knew she meant well, but it was the principal behind it all that really got to me. Sometimes it is hard to let go of things, but we must all do it. I am far from being perfect and will never be perfect, but as long as I have GOD with me, I know I will be okay. He will be there each and every step of the way to guide me thru whatever I go thru. We must all just let go and let GOD. I would like to wish each and everyone of you a “HAPPY NEW YEAR” from me and my Family. I do pray that 2008 will be a great and wonderful year for everyone.
Hugs,
Karen H.
This post was so appropriate for right now. Thank you for sharing it, the wording and scripture really bring glory to God. Thank you for the time you have dedicated to sharing God’s word with all of us on the internet. And I too, love the anti-spam words you have. How in the world did you do that? Very cool indeed. I pray you and your family will be richly blessed in the New Year!
what an excellent post with a clear takeaway…
thank you bernadine!!
much love,
Lisa
A great way to enter the new year – with nothing weighing us down. Completely forgiven and cleansed.
Wow, this was incredible.
What a year, so much to learn. We serve an aweome God.
Blessings to you in 2008!
Praying for many sweet blessings to you my friend in the new year.
Bernadine…I needed this today. God knows just how much. For all the reasons you listed. Every. Single. One.
Thank you for speaking straight into my heart.
Amen…. Just to let go…yes.. I am working towards that.. that is the problem.. maybe it’s God’s turn..
thank you for this post….
Blessings
Connie
Beautiful Scripture passages you shared with us, Bernadine. Yes, not all dream have come to past in 2007, but I will hold on to them. I did get hurt at one point in 2007, but I let it go and let God heal the hurt…
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and I am looking forward with you into 2008 what God will do – exciting – still giddy 🙂
Blessings to you and yours.