“On Your Heart Tuesday…”
Well, what’s on my heart?
Rest.
Rest is on my heart.
Now is an interlude.
Now, between Christmas and the new year’s start.
Time to be quiet.
Still.
Get bearings.
Assess.
Give thanks to God for gifts He gave this past year, as many as my mind can name.
Count the blessings disguised as pains and problems, disappointments and closed doors.
Count the blessings obvious with pleasure, joy…
New friends. New experiences. New challenges. New and better ways.
Old friends and faithful. Deepening relationships — in family, in God’s family, with God Himself.
Bask in the wonder of God’s working in a tiny life (my own).
Time to review:
this year’s personal journals (more than one),
old blog posts,
the passing year’s calendar.
Time to assess:
From whence have I come?
How far have I traveled
closer to God?
How well?
How did He help?
Sort out for the new year:
what to shed,
what to keep,
what to gather in anew.
A time for sweet serene silence. Still sitting. Gathering grace.
*****
Linked to…
Hmmmm…. I like your schedule WAY better than the one I was penciling in, with its chores and errands and catchings-up. Rest… getting one’s bearings… counting one’s blessings… yes, I must add these to my list.
Enjoying your comment, Jan. Yes, first things first, and I’m finally coming to realize this kind of thing IS important stuff to place at (or at least near) the top of the to-do list! (And confession: the kitchen’s sitting there in dire need of cleanup! Well, now’s about time to get to that, I guess — and then get back to this important stuff! lol) Thanks much for stopping by and sharing!
Wow, you are speaking to exactly what I am feeling right now. Beautifully written and it seemed to make me feel I have spiritual permission to rest in Him and see if all is well. Thank you. Nona
Yes, Nona I’m sure you do have that permission. We are supposed to “make every effort to enter His rest”(Hebrews 4:11 NIV)! 🙂 Thanks for commenting, and God bless your day!
I love this idea of using this time to reflect on the old year and think on what the new year means. I think I will set apart some time to really do this so that I can make commitments based on last year. Even going through old blogs, as you say, is a great way of reevaluating the year. Thank you for this. Tweeting it!
Oh! Thank you, Shanda! And God bless your new year.
Oh, yes, Sylvia! Gathering grace. I love the idea. I love your post. You described exactly what I want to do! Thanks for helping me to get started! Blessings to you, sis!
Mari-Anna, I think this is so wonderful, how we can help and encourage each other in right endeavors like this! This is what I most love about getting into blogging community with other fervent Christians. Thank you for stopping by and commenting. Looks like we have a good and hopeful year of growing in Him to look forward to in 2012! God bless!
I love how you are taking this time to rest in Him and His direction in your life. I’m so busy right now that I forget that we are called to rest. Will be slowing down and relaxing admist the chaos of my week.
Hi Michelle,
Hope you get your slow-down and mind-and-soul rest — even amid the chaos! Thanks for your visit!
Very insightful. I am inspired as I do my yearly assessment and preparation for the new year. Many blessings disguised as pain for which I am grateful. Many things to look forward to in 2012. Experiencing his love even more. Thank you Sylvia. God bless you and yours into the New Year.
K
Hi K,
Good to see you here! I’m glad if this is helpful to you while you do your own assessing and preparing. In turn, your words encourage me. That’s what I love about community: this kind of mutual encouragement. Rich blessings on your year ahead, too!