There & Back Again...

How does time fly by so quickly?  Here we are back at the end of another December.   It seems like January happened just a few months ago and yet as the days melted through the Spring, and the hazy days of summer seem to run by right into the hands of a brisk fall, I can well believe another year has come.

 I love the words "there & back again", because they always remind me of the Lord of the Rings and Bilbo's storytelling.   His theme (to me at least) was always enjoy and learn as much as you can where you are at, but always remember where you started.  Always come back to your roots, they are a part of who you are. Although you may change over the years as you learn new truths and experience new things....those moments of "aha" come throughout the year as well because we still are the same person....just (hopefully) a little wiser, braver or ________ you fill in the blank.  Those memories of yester year shaped our future. 
 
There & back again...yeah, I'm not the same person I was a year ago, but yet coming to the end of the year I'm recognizing some of those familiar feelings that start floating around every time I start looking for a new calendar at the store.

January 2015....It's like stepping out into meadow at night and seeing fireflies blinking everywhere.  You know there are going to be opportunities, stretching points (spiritually, emotionally, physically...mentally?), learning curves and turning points.... As each firefly blinks a new one

shines....which light, which path does God want us to take. Opportunities with so many people are often so fleeting.  Will we grab each and every moment, living it out to the fullest for Christ.  Or will we just sit back and watch the lights deciding that there are too many and they are too fast to even try and catch them.  How many blessing will float by without me even seeing them as they glittered pass....
 No, my resolution this year, is to open my eyes to the needs, hurts, blessings and gifts and do what God calls me to do in each situation.  To thank God for each and every one.  I'm praying that He will help me to treasure those smiles right along with those tears.  I'm praying He will fill my mind with thoughts of peace, love and joy.  That my eyes, my ears, my thoughts would reflect what he sees, what he hears and what he thinks.  May I remember the lessons I've learned and draw closer to the Father who helped me though each one.  May I praise His name for every gift, every experience and every lesson.

May God bless your 2015!!  Happy New Year!