Thursday, December 31, 2015

Just Like That...


 
And just like that ….. 
      My sister in law recently used that phrase when she posted some of my niece’s senior pictures on face book.  I must say I agree with Shannon’s sentiments.  Time has passed so swiftly since Elizabeth’s birth.  Actually, two of my nieces are graduating this year.  Elizabeth’s cousin, Karlie (my other brother’s child) is also a senior.  It is difficult to believe in they will be high school graduates in just a few short months.  And I know from experience those months will be a whirlwind of activities … we will blink and it will be commencement day.
 
Yes, it really does seem it has been “just like that”…..
    So much goes into “just like that.”   For Shannon – nearly 18 years of motherhood goes into a just like that.  18 years of loving and caring for a child she never knew she would love so much.  18 years of watching her learn and grow and become an intelligent, independent thinking human being.  18 years of healing hurts and teaching about God and life and love.  I would say Shannon’s ‘just like that’ was cram packed full of living. 
 
      And so it seems just like that we are saying goodbye to 2015.  It went by quickly.  What is in your past year of ‘just like that’?  Honestly, mine’s a mixed bag of experiences   … ups and downs … blessings and trials.  I’m sure yours is much the same way.  Do you remember closing out 2014 and looking forward to the year to which we are now saying goodbye?  How many New Year’s Eve nights do you remember? 
      I’ve seen so many posts on face book.  So many goodbyes to this year …. Some with great glee because they didn’t have a very good 2015.  Some with gratitude for a good year and joyous hope for an even greater 2016.  Some with trepidation because of sadness or trials which lie ahead.  Some of us look back on our past year … or even years with regret … perhaps we didn’t make use of opportunities that came our way ….. perhaps there were things we did or said that we shouldn’t have.
        But we can’t spend too much time on looking back … for if we do … then just like that … the chances afforded to us now will be over too … and we will be looking back again … with regret over chances we didn’t take  …. over unused opportunities … wasted time.
        We can’t change what’s in the past, so we don’t need to waste any more time wishing we could.  One thing I’ve learned is that it is never too late to start doing things right – even if we start over again every day.  The key is not giving up …. Never stop trying … never stop working to do better … to be better.  
        We see this in athletes. They practice all the time … if they mess up one day, then they go out and practice over and over until they get it right.  The best athletes don’t give up and they don’t stop trying. Ever.  Nor do they spend too much time looking back at the day before.  Athletes learn lessons from the failures of the past and move on to the promise of an improved future.  And in a “just like that” … packed full of practices and “try agains” and “do overs” – they become the best in their field. 
        This is Biblical.  As long as we are practicing and doing the best we can, God gives us the chance to keep trying.  Our Father gives us “do overs.”   Consider these scriptures: 
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.  If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 
                                                          (I John 1:7-9 ESV)  
“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.  Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  (Philippians 3:12-14)    
           
       I am so glad I serve a wonderful God who time after time gives us the occasion to change – to improve – to start over and do better!  It really is never, ever too late to do the right thing.  Christianity is a lifestyle – serving our Lord is a choice we make --- growth is a process – becoming mature in our faith is what we try for every day.  We don’t stop … we don’t give up.  We might stumble … but Christ our Savior is willing to pick us up – just like He pulled Peter out of the water when he began to sink – just like He allowed Him to preach the first gospel sermon only 50 days after he denied Him.  Peter moved on and took his next opportunity to serve Jesus.  Paul put his past behind him. 
      So just like that ……  2015 is over.  And regardless of what went into your just like that this past year … YOU are the one who has the power with God’s help to make your just like that for 2016 better than any you’ve ever had before.  Why would we want to be better …????   Because one day … just like that … we will be face to face with Him.    Put as much good into your just like that as you can. 
 Happy New Year!
 
Christ above all things,
Robin         

 

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