Before you say ‘good bye’ to 2014 …

Before you say ‘good bye’ to 2014 …

There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under Heaven~

. . . a time to plant, and a time to uproot . . . a time to tear down, and a time to build . . . a time to scatter stones, and a time to gather them . . . a time to keep, and a time to throw away . . . a time to be silent, and a time to speak. from Ecclesiastes 3

How eloquent are the words of the philosophical writer of Ecclesiastes. The close of each year brings opportunity for each of us-- "a season to", "a time to" consider—yes, and examine. Socrates said, The unexamined life is not worth living. A strong statement, to be sure, but does he not drive home a very important point?

Before the last box of the calendar is marked, could you take a few minutes to consider 2014? Before thinking of where you would like to go in 2015, where have you been in 1-4?

What were the highlights, the joys for you? ___________________ ____________________________________________________

Count your blessings, dear one~ _____________________________ ____________________________________________________

Look around you even now--what are your blessings? ______________ ____________________________________________________

How about the struggles, the trials of this last year--'those which caused great pain or loss? _________________________________ ____________________________________________________

How did you grow in 2014, what new things did you learn? (might be related to the struggles you faced) ___________________ ____________________________________________________

Opportunities you missed, wish you had back? ____________________ _____________________________________________________

New relationships you have formed this year? ___________________ _____________________________________________________

Now, look back at the ‘season to’ verses--are there things you need to 'uproot', things you need to "throw away"? ____________________ _____________________________________________________

Are there things that you would like to build upon? ________________ _____________________________________________________

There is so much value in considering where we've been, and what we have experienced, before forging into a new season. For so many years, I did not look back to take stock of highs, lows, things I might have changed, or at the great joys of the year, or thank God for how he sustained me through it all. So, I'm going to print this out for myself, and take a little time to reflect. I pray that you might do the same!

[note: This is formatted in such a way that it may be cut and pasted in a journal or notebook. O, do take time to examine your life, your year, before entering a new one. In doing so, there is much gain.]

Amen.

Christine

PastorWoman.com