I caught myself this Christmas, doing something I never took note of before. I thought deeply. I sat and watched my children and grandchildren open presents with joy, and heard their “Oh wow”, and saw what their hearts were feeling all over their faces. I felt it too. I saw their eyes filled with wonder as they stared at the Christmas lights so bright and colorful, and felt deeply the sense of awe they felt.
It made me remember my children when they were little: so excited for all of the presents on Christmas morning, and all the traditions we started way back then that they carry on in their own homes today.
And it led me to thoughts about the pain they’ve experienced at the hands of mean, angry, and hate-filled people who had no idea what they were going through. I thought about how I sought the Lord to help me know how to navigate it with them and love them well through it.
I thought about some regrets and some wishes for “do-overs”. I thought about how my careless actions or words could have wounded, though never my intentions.
And I thanked God for His presence and His peace through every bit of it. I thanked Him for His love that surrounded us….filling every spot that desperately needed His healing touch.
This year, I stopped long enough to be present in the moment and think.
“But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.” Luke 2:19
“Kept” means she preserved and held things close in her mind so they would never be lost.
“Pondered” means she thought carefully about, considered, and contemplated how to bring together all that was in her mind.
May I encourage you in the days ahead, as we enter into OUR new year, to take the time to reflect. Take the time to keep and ponder the past. Take time to consider the possibilities in our future! Think about what you want to be your priority. Think about what you want to do differently. Ask Holy Spirit to reveal and show you.
And then, write it down somewhere. Keep
it close so you can refer to it often. Let’s prepare our hearts for 2025 and partner with Holy Spirit to become the best year yet. All for His glory!
Pause and consider, to prepare for the future.
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