The True Prize

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Happy New Year - almost! Today is the last day of 2009 - it is the last day of the first decade of the
2000's - a new century; and what a decade it has been. As I ponder all that has transpired in these last ten years I am amazed at all that the Lord has done in my own life and in the lives of my family members. In the past ten years I have witnessed the weddings of all four of our children; we have experienced the joy of the birth of 11 grandchildren; we have celebrated our 25th & 30th wedding anniversaries - and we have beheld the glory of God - breathtaking!

Today as we embark on the beginning of a new year and a new decade we can forge ahead with plans, hopes, and dreams for a bright future filled with promise at God's hand, or we can tread cautiously fearing the unknown; in reality we will probably do a little of both having a desire for the promise, but stepping hesitantly at times because of fear - that can be okay as long as we turn our fear into faith. "What time I am afraid I will trust in thee." Psalm 56:3

We have often heard the saying "when God closes a door somewhere He opens a window;" I have also heard it phrased "when God closes one door He opens another, but sometimes we stare at the closed door so long that we fail to see the open one." Some folks will spend today pondering all the difficulties they have faced in 2009 and fail to see that there is a new door opening in 2010. It reminds me of when we dropped our kids off to school for the first day of Kindergarten - some kids were excited to begin and kissed their moms goodbye ready to enjoy their new adventure - others clung to their moms and took days or weeks to acclimate to their new environment; both adjusted to the change, but some kept looking back at being home with mom making things more difficult for themselves while the others began their journey with joy.

Today we are opening the door to 2010 and leaving 2009 as a door that is closed behind us - let us face the future and not stare at what is past. Oh, to be sure we will carry the lessons that we have learned, the memories we have treasured and some we would rather forget. 2009 will always be a part of who and what we have become...but don't stop here! Don't stand looking at the closed door behind us, turn around and behold the wonderful future ahead! "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13, 14

Today as many folks will set goals, make plans, and New Year's resolutions - let's not forget to realize that the true prize is fulfilling our high calling in Christ Jesus!

Happy New Year! Have a wonderful day!

Comments

  1. AnonymousJanuary 1, 2010 at 1:46 PM

    hi terrie i just read tender touch it was very amazing all that happen in ten years dad an i also reminice not just this decade butthe five decade past they by so fast but like you dayd its all been good thank god for everything, love mom.

    ReplyDelete

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