New Things...

Do not call to mind the former things, Or ponder things of the past. Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:18-19 NASB We all awoke this morning to a brand new year, a fresh start, somewhat of a reboot in life--if you will. We can now put to bed the things of the past & begin anew...or can we? How well do we do that? How much do we trust GOD? When we read His Word & it tells us that if we confess our sin, He is faithful & just to forgive us (1 John 1:9), do we really believe it? Do we "lay it all down" and trust GOD to handle it for us? In my observation, through my counseling experiences, and in my own life--I find that most of us have difficulty letting go, releasing, taking our hands off, & dropping the baggage of the past. Like Scrooge's old business partner, Jacob Marley, we allow ourselves to be chained to and burdened by the things of our yesterdays. In holding on to those things, we struggle to move forward into the future that GOD has for us without great pain and effort. I've heard it said that the rearview mirror is smaller than the windshield because what's ahead (our future) is far bigger than what's behind us (our past). It's time we hand those old suitcases full of garbage--the shortcomings, failures, hurts, etc., of the past off to GOD and leave them there so we can be free of them and move into the plan and purpose He has for us (Jeremiah 29:11). We need to get back to the basics of GOD, family & country. We've filled our lives with so much stuff, so many activities, so many commitments--that it has all become an interference with our relationship with GOD. Simply put, it's time to simplify life. Dust off your Bible, get on your knees, fellowship with GOD. Then, love those around you--family, friends and strangers alike. GOD put you in their lives for a reason...just like He put them in your life for a reason. Little things really do make a difference--a hug, a handshake, a smile, a prayer. Celebrate your heritage and wave the American flag. I guess, in the end, the old ways & old things are the new things we need to re-introduce into our lives. I'm gonna give "new things" a try. I pray you will too... Blessings! Tony