It’s A New Year

Today has been a year since my sister’s passing. We’ve made it through a full year. Now, as we pause to remember, reflect, shed some tears and off-load some feelings, we shoulder ourselves forward to face a new year.

The old year included so many negative memories, and like the old man who exits “stage right”, a new feeling crawls in ready to live a full life in the 365 days ahead. The old year had it’s negative, just as will the new year. That’s life. It always has been, and always will be.

Through the years I’ve shared platitudes about the passing of a loved one, as in, “In the sweet bye and bye, we shall meet on that beautiful shore…”, and, though it is true, we also know that it’s harder here than there. In my mind, it’s all about surviving, and I have good survival skills. That’s not the same for everyone else.

Cycling through 365 days of memories. I’ve relived some good times, thought about the losses, and prepared myself to keep moving forward. An early morning email says it all with a headline that speaks to me.

Plan on Progress

Progress, at least for me, is always moving forward. Like David going “through” the valley of the shadow of death. Not stopping, but “Forward, ho!” Sometimes it’s one step forward and slipping two steps backward. Yes, even more times than not it’s “dropping 10 and punting!” Keep pressing forward!

The key to this headline is “Plan“. Planning. Laying out a plan of attack. Best laid plans of mice and men sometimes go awry. It’s knowing that in action, plans fall apart, but there is power in the process of planning! It prepares you to consider your options as you move forward.

“Plans are of little importance, but planning is essential.” 
~Winston Churchill, former British Prime Minister

Where Do You Find Your Motivation?

How do you keep pressing forward when all your plans crumble at your feet? Many look for a leader, and there are many good ones showing you how to move forward. Others may look to history to see what happened back then and how can we use it today. Still, you may not find what you need.

For me, at least, it’s always looking for scriptural influence because that’s my foundation. Literature does not speak to me as well as God’s Word. So. Speak to me Word of God.

Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted?
it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick;
and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works,
and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
(Matthew 5:13-16 KJV)

Salt of the earth, facing life just as others do, but still full of flavor. Light of the world. In a dark world, we still shine through the night. What is it all about? Our trust is not in man’s plans, but fully in God’s providence.

Back up a few centuries….

The bible has more than simply some teachings from one perspective…. albeit an important view. Let’s look at someone who faced some lions, tigers, giants and personal faults.

To the chief Musician upon Neginah, A Psalm of David.
Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.
From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee,
when my heart is overwhelmed:
lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
For thou hast been a shelter for me,
and a strong tower from the enemy.
I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever:
I will trust in the covert of thy wings.
Selah.
For thou, O God, hast heard my vows:
thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name.
Thou wilt prolong the king’s life: and his years as many generations.
He shall abide before God for ever:
O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him.
So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever,
that I may daily perform my vows.
(Psalms 61:1-8 KJV)

Let’s look at one more person who’s story is almost as old as the first few chapters of Genesis. Consider Job. After he gets all those bad reports, he does not hesitate to respond to God.

Then Job arose, and rent his mantle,
and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb,
and naked shall I return thither:
the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away;
blessed be the name of the LORD.
In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.
(Job 1:20-22 KJV)

How Will You Handle Life?

Everyone handles the exiting old year and the approaching new year differently. Through the valley, over the mountain, and across the plains of life – we all have different skills and passions that allow us to face challenges differently. Not only that, we come to the challenges from different aspects of views.

When my sister and dad passed, mom lost those who were daily in her life.
I was essentially a weekly or monthly contact with all three of them.
Her handling of life is different than mine.
It’s not that the tragedy means any less to me, but there is something to be said for the frequency of our contact suddenly changing.
I’ve missed calling my sister and seeing her every few years.
Equally, even with my dad’s hearing problem, I miss his voice and viewpoint.
Those songs are gone. No more silliness.

How I handle life will be different than you. Please, give me my space to deal with the anniversary the way I need to, and I will give you space to deal with the same event your own way.

We are both living through an anniversary, the old year is slipping away, and our new year is stepping out of the wings from the left. See that “old man” leaving? Compare him to that fresh child bouncing in from the wings. That new year child doesn’t see the weight of the world that has aged the old man! What will the last day of the new year be like? That new year has no clue. But we all know because life continually gives us challenges that we will review next year.

That’s how I handle life. You?