Thoughtful Thursdays...

Well I thought that I would revisit this type of post since I have neglected to do so. Ironically, this Thursday is New Year's Eve, so of course this, of all days, is a great day to reflect on the past, present and get excited about the future. I have already posted my anticipations on this New Year, so I won't be repetitive. I will however share a couple of quotes that I thought were insightful concerning the New Year. It is so easy to get wrapped up in the craziness of the holidays, but the challenge that I wanted to try and work towards was that instead of rushing through this time, I really want to learn to savor each moment I have, in whatever I am doing with whomever I am doing it with; I just want to be able to enjoy and soak up every moment so I truly enjoy this life and the people and moments that make it up. (Here I go on a tangent, but just bear with me.) For some reason, especially during holidays, I become more aware of time. I guess what I mean is that the reality of time hits me every year like a brick wall, and as I have no problem welcoming change, I LOVE to revisit stories of past moments in my childhood and adolescence and laugh until I cry, however I do have some difficulty dealing with time changing things (people, places, etc). So during these times, I sometimes get worried about trivial little things like what will happen when things happen. I say all of this to say, I feel like during these times, 2 verses that I love and fear, (in a sense) come to mind. The first is Matthew 6: 25-34 where Jesus is addressing the fact that we should not be worried about anything whatsoever because He can take care of those worries as long as we have faith in Him and seek His kingdom and righteousness. Part of my New Year list is to have more faith and I know that God can take care of it, period, no matter what, no if ands or buts, the matter is me. Another verse that I think about in relation to that verse is in Joshua chapter 1 (it is actually repeated so this isn't just one verse) where God is speaking to Joshua and telling him to "Be strong and courageous", "Be strong and courageous", "the Lord your God will be with you where ever you go". I really try to attach myself to these verses because of my worries and fears because I know that God is with me and hasn't given me this spirit of fear. So, during these times, where life happens and time seems to speed past me, I want to stop, smell the roses and be reminded that God holds me in His magnificent hands and provides the refuge, encouragement and confidence I need to appreciate and enjoy this life.

Here are those New Year quotes that I thought were very "thoughtful":
Another fresh new year is here...
Another year to live!
To banish worry, doubt and fear,
To love and laugh and give!
This bright new year is given me
To live each day with zest...
To daily grow and try to be
My highest and my best!
I have the opportunity
Once more to right some wrongs,
To pray for peace, to plant a tree,
And sing more joyful songs!
-William Arthur Ward

Here's to the bright New Year, and a fond farewell to the old; here's to the things that are yet to come and to the memories that we hold." -Author Unknown