I’ve been reminded to look back in order to move forward. At first it sounded counter-intuitive and non-productive, but after doing it, I see the value of taking a fresh look at what I have, what I’ve done, and stop to look, listen, and be grateful. It was the prompt I needed to Live this moment, to be present without the pressure to perform.

Earlier this Spring my friend Bernice challenged me to look back at what I have done and see the beauty in in, instead of feeling the pressure of always needing to make something new. Her advice hit home and I realized what I needed was new eyes, new vision for what I have, what I’ve done, and where I am going. I needed to look back in order to move forward.

Because of this wise advice, I revisited a number of things, one being my journals. I was especially drawn to the A-Z of Me Journal, a challenge led by Bernice Hopper in 2013.

“It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.”

- Henry David Thoreau

One new perception,
fresh thought,
act of surrender,
change of heart,
leap of faith,
can change your life forever.”

- Robert Holden

Stop ~ Look ~ Listen

If you are looking for a way to look back in order to look forward, here is what I did, and found it helpful: Take some quiet time to re-visit your daily surroundings. Look for the positive, encouraging, the beautiful. Take note of the blessings with gratitude.

• What are you thankful for?

• What did God say to you about this year? About your word of the year?

• Re-view what you’ve already accomplished.

• What is God saying to you now?

“God changes our perception of ourselves and of others
and He empowers us to see as He sees
-along with giving us the power to do as Jesus did
and even greater things,
to glorify the Father.”

- Randy Clark

Look Again at Familiar Scripture

Don’t overlook the significance in the familiar or ordinary. Treasure is hiding in plain sight waiting for new eyes.

• What are your favorite Scriptures, or what has been brought to mind recently? What fresh meaning is found in the words today?

Uncover my eyes so that I may see the miraculous things in your teachings.

Psalm 119:18 NOG

Look Again at the Story of Jesus in the Gospels"

“As a child I received instruction both in the Bible and in there Talmud. I am a Jew, but I am enthralled by the luminous figure of the Nazarene… No one can read the Gospels without feeling the actual presence of Jesus. His personality pulsates in every word. No myth is filled with such life.”

- Albert Einstein

The story of the Woman at the Well in John 4 is one of my favorites. She has the longest one-on-one conversation with Jesus recorded in Scripture:

John 4:25-27 The Passion Translation (TPT)

25 The woman said, “This is all so confusing, but I do know that the Anointed One is coming—the true Messiah. And when he comes, he will tell us everything we need to know.”

26 Jesus said to her, “You don’t have to wait any longer, the Anointed One is here speaking with you—I am the One you’re looking for.”

I love it when I get confirmation about what I'm thinking about and what God is saying. I don't think it is coincidence. I came across a video message by Lana Vawser that resonates with me so much. Here is the YouTube link: https://youtu.be/GcGYILhVti4

In all this looking again, re-visiiting and re-viewing, I've come to appreciate and apply my word of the year "Light." It may have also given me a hymn for the year:

“Open my eyes that I may see glimpses of truth Thou has for me;

Place in my hand the wonderful key that shall unclasp and set me free.

Silently now I wait for Thee, Ready my God, Thy will to see;

Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit Divine!”

by Clara H. Scott, Open My Eyes

Living Your Word 2019 Opportunity

Bernice Hopper, and Mary Brack, and I share insights through blog posts for keeping an Everyday Calendar Journal. We will be using the journal to record events, experiences and relationships; to explore our word’s meaning in visual and fun ways. If you would like to connect with others in creative way about organizing your word, your ideas, thoughts, prayers, events, or your projects all in one place, you are invited to join our Facebook group: Everyday Journals ~ Living Your Word of the Year.URL for Facebook group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/203309083575277/

URLs for Instagram: #livingyourword2019

CHECK OUT THE BLOGS:

Bernice: https://newlycreative.com

Mary:  www.foundonbrighton.com

Valerie: https://valeriesjodin.com/blog/ this one :-)

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