Felt it was apropos to put up an “end of year” post. Or perhaps it is cliché. Either way I am sitting in an airport after a time well spent on holiday in New York with family. Reflecting on the past year and all that came with it as the New Year quickly approaches. The good the bad and that which remains the same I suppose. All scrambled together into a beautiful mess.
I have been somewhat off of social media the past couple of weeks or so, which has been a gift in itself, and ironically when I have jumped back on, I have picked up on a common theme if you will. A kindred thread woven into many of your stories (at best noted from a short summary of a status update). Which as we know, tells the entire story and gives everyone full view of what you meant to say (yes you can insert sarcasm again here). So many ready for 2016 to be over. Too many ready to see the hand on the clock click forward and a date to change as if that nudge will be a catalyst for the New Year to look different than the past. I get it. There are things that I too would have liked to see played out differently in 2016. There are items on my list that either I didn’t complete, royally messed up or didn’t see the outcome I desired. Yep, I get it. There is something about starting off new. And many of us are in the bow of the boat that leads with “new is coming”. However…
I wise person once told me this: how you leave one season is how you will enter the next. And I don’t know about you, I want to do both well. 2016 was quite a year. A magnificent year. Because if you are reading it – you lived it. We both did. We somehow managed to blaze a new trail and make history. And here we are stepping into a new chapter to dream again. And yet, if we are not careful, we can step too quickly into this new year territory without taking with us the important lessons from the past.
So my encouragement to us all in this cliché New Year post? Pause for a moment and listen to what the past year has offered. The challenges the year brought you? Opportunities that stretched you and hopefully matured you some. The prayers yet unanswered? Well those my friends are reasons to dig in a little deeper and trust a bit more. Despite what you feel. The list that you wish you had conquered? Be mindful you have a list. You have something still to do. Yes, you. You STILL have something to tackle. So get on after it again. Because you can.
Yet let me leave you with this thought. Before you dive into the waters of 2017 that will again bring challenges, victories, laughs and tears… Do this one thing for me. Say thank you. Give gratefulness the presence it so deserves. For the year that was indeed magnificent and a scrambled mess of the good, bad and the static. And then, crossover into the threshold that this next season brings holding gratitude as if it were a part of your DNA. Grateful of what was and what will be. Because we all have much to be thankful for. Not to mention, gratitude has a funny way of realigning all that seems wrong into a beautiful tapestry for good.
As Bob Goff said in his book Love Does…. “we get to decide each time whether we will lean in toward what is unfolding and say yes or back away”.
So pause, learn, give thanks and lean in and say a big yes. Yet again.
c’est la vie
PS – Happy New Year friends.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Enjoying your blog Kristin, God Bless us all
Thanks so much for taking the time to read! Miss you lady!
Good word. Confirmation for us. 2016 was a rough year. The Lord spoke to Cris and I in the fall that we were to end the year strong playing all 4 quarters,sailing close to the wind. We’re grateful for all the victories God brought us and excited to see the new ones that are on their way.
Excited for this New Year and what it brings! Appreciate you guys.
Kristen,
This was so beautiful and very encouraging. There was so much that has transpired this last year in my life and many battles that I have faced, but the one thing that remains true is that GOD got me through it all. Thanks for the inspiring words and for being the compassionate person that you are. ?
I am so glad it encouraged you! God is faithful.