Reflections

"A reflection from a flickering candle cast its silhouette upon the wall as the Christmas Carol fades and the bells jingle grows still." Karen Spencer

We will soon be welcoming in the New Year.  Are you ready?  

Each year after the holidays have ended, I carefully take down my last year's calendar and flip over the past year, remembering...and giving thanks. 

As I look over the past and feel anxious for the future; it feels as if I were standing in the middle of a bridge connecting the past and the future. 

Although I'm anxious to hurry along, rush through the gate with my new intentions and resolutions; I hold myself back.  Instead, I stop and gaze at the year as if it were a pool of water, glistening on a moon lit night, reflecting its surroundings. 

I find my ragged journal, warn out and nearly used up and begin writing. I have questions I have collected over the years and use them to guide me along.

I begin with positive memorable events of the past year. I write about the many blessings God showered over me.  I write about challenges I faced and lessons I learned.

I write about the guilt that I have decided to leave behind and the people I choose to forgive.

I write about the fears I am ready to let go.

And finally, I write a prayer thanking God for His gracious gifts, His on-going grace and His everlasting mercy, new each and every day. 

Then I close the book's cover and place it on a shelf, with the others.

It's time to cross the bridge and walk into the future.

I walk over to my box of brand new and unused journals and find the perfect one; patiently waiting for its turn. It pages will too be filled with my thoughts, ideas and words.  It too will hold my secrets in this brand-new year.

Here is a list of the questions I have used to help me reflect on the past years. Perhaps they will help you as well.

                        

reflection_questions.doc