REFLECTIONS ON A NEW YEAR
The holidays are over for 2009. They come quickly and then are gone. The turkey is carved and often times too many leftovers thrown away. Ribbons and paper used to create beautiful packages are torn and tossed into a trash bag. We salvage what we can and add to the decorations as we shop the sales after the specials days are over. What is it we do during these times that can be kept and carried with us into a new year? There are new sox and sweaters; perfume and jewelry; books, DVDs, CDs and gift cards that are tokens of caring and love from one to another. More than that, there are memories of family and friends, trips and dinners, parties and special moments with a loved one.
It seems that the only real things that are carried from year to year are the memories we have. That makes me realize that we must make the very best effort to create good memories. How sad to be disappointed that the tangible “thing” we wanted someone to give to us was overlooked. How sad to have our focus on a “thing” and not on the blessing we can be to another.
Just as pretty paper and ribbons are used to create something beautiful, beautiful relationships are created as we become blessings that prefer one another rather than focus on what we think we deserve or lack. If you were to gift wrap yourself, what would come out of the package? How can we become one of those special memories that live on and on?
My son and my husband are now living memories in my life. They are living because they live in Heaven. That may seem trite or simplistic if you have not received a revelation of the Lord in your life. You see, He really did defeat death and because of that, we do live on. In fact, you can choose your place of residence before your body dies. John and Johnny chose wisely. One choice offers eternal peace while the other eternal torment. If you are wondering what that has to do with creating beautiful memories that last forever, let me pose this to you. If you lived in a family whose Father has created a life for you that is filled to overflowing with beautiful blessings, would you not want to be like Him and pass that on to others? Would you be so selfish as to keep them for yourself and end up corrupted? Blessings not given away will grow stale and rot in those who hold them.
Think about it. It is a simple thing to become a part of the family whose Father is the Creator of all good things. It is just a decision that will change your entire life.
