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.
Christ above all things,
Robin
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