It’s the week between. The winter pause that happens after Christmas celebrations and before New Year’s resolutions. I’ve pulled out the calendar and retrieved 2017 journals to take a look back. To remember and reflect on life experiences, turns in the road, significant “spiritual markers” like those Henry Blackaby referred to in Experiencing God.
If this past year is like other years, there will be difficult days in the mix, unanticipated changes. The good and the hard.
Why remember?
Years ago, an older friend was counseling me as I considered next steps. “Walking by faith isn’t a leap in the dark. It’s based on remembrance.” Uncle Bill urged me to remember the ways God had worked in my life up to that point. He pointed out how often the Israelites were told to remember. Remember how He delivered them from Egypt. Remember how He led them and fed them in the wilderness. Remember His law. Remember His promises. Remember His provision.
And in the beginning of the new covenant, with bread and cup in hand, Jesus said to His disciples, “Do this in remembrance of Me.”
Let’s face it, we are a forgetful people. And it doesn’t get any better with age. I can testify to that. We need reminders of the work of the One who is the same yesterday, today and forever. Remembrance matters.
Pause and reflect
So in this winter pause, I take time to reflect. Not dwelling on the past, but traveling through the year and pausing frequently to say, “Blessed be the name of the Lord.”
Remember. Give thanks. Then look forward and walk into 2018.
What about you?
How do you make the transition from one year to the next? What helps you remember His Word and His ways in your life?
Happy New Year!
“Give thanks to the Lord; call on his name;
proclaim his deeds among the peoples.
Sing to him; sing praise to him;
tell about all his wonderful works!
Honor his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
Search for the Lord and for his strength;
seek his face always.
Remember the wonderful works he has done,
his wonders and the judgments he has pronounced…
Remember his covenant forever—
the promise he ordained for a thousand generations….”
1 Chronicles 16:8-12,15 CSB
8 replies on “Winter pause”
In a sermon I heard recently, the speaker said that recalling the ways God has worked in our lives is like the rear view mirror of a car and then continued by saying these recollections would give us faith to go forward.
Oh, I love that! Thanks for sharing that insight 😊
Love this. Thanks for posting this reminder! I’m a reflection advocate too. This set of questions has led me into the new year for the past few… thoughts I’d share.
https://theartofsimple.net/new-years-eve-reflection-questions/
Looking forward to more wisdom, insight and inspiration through your blog this year!
Thanks for sharing these, Melanie. A helpful way to frame reflection😊
Thank you so much for this reminder to remember! So often I just want to put the trials behind me and be done. My prayer over the last months has been …. ‘Lord don’t let me miss the lesson. Lord, teach me’. When I pray this and remember His provision in so many blessings, and if I don’t allow them to be clouded by the trials…I am strengthened, I learn and I grow. As you have counseled us over the years (and Kari S. has always reminded) I’ve again asked the Lord for a theme and/or verse to guide me through the year. As I transition to this new year, eager for the blessings and lessons this year holds… my prayer is from Ps 16… ‘You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.’ and as Peter preached it in Acts 2: ‘You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’ Based on those verses, my theme this year is ‘As you teach me, may I learn from you and always recognize the joy in the journey. Abiding in your presence everyday, may I be full of gladness and your joy!’ Praying this for you also my friend, that you experience the fullness of his joy as you abide in his presence! Thanks for your continued mentoring and service thru this blog!
Your verses and theme for this year stir my heart and strengthen my soul, sister! Thank you for sharing so clearly His work and His ways. And thank you for praying for me!
My verse for 2018 is Hebrews 1:3. A way to think of Who my Lord is! Just think,HE is the radiance of God’s glory..I can chew on that quite a while. plus. Mom
Thanks
Yes! Thanks for sharing 😊