I love New Years. I’m all about making resolutions, some written, others mental. I love the feeling and sense that no matter what the previous year has brought forth, there is always a day and time to start over; to reflect on things past and look forward to things to come. Some, who know me, make fun of me, but I can’t help myself. I relish the feeling that I’ve been given one more chance to improve myself, to be a better mom, wife, worker; to be healthier, closer to Christ, less stressed. New Years is the representation of all this and more to me. Call me crazy, but I’m addicted to New Years.
A few days ago I was driving to work I was in full “New Years Euphoria”. I was pondering all things present and past. One of the nice things about the area I live in is that my daily commute is beautiful. The trees, mountains, valleys and large lake I drive by serve as a natural springboard for praise to God for his handiwork in creation and my life. As I started out onto the bridge to cross the lake, a very large Bald Eagle flew above my green sedan. With his huge wings spread, he soared effortlessly back and forth across the bridge. It was breathtaking. I nearly crashed my car attempting to keep my eye on him, rather than on the road in front of me. I watched as long as I could and the huge bird finally glided off in a different direction.
The bridge is two miles long. Hopeful of seeing the eagle come back, I kept watch toward the sky. My heart jumped a little when I saw him return. “Cool, there he is again.” I thought. But wait, something was wrong with the second bird. Definitely not the same bird. He wasn’t soaring effortlessly like the first one. As I continued nearer to him, I realized that it wasn’t eagle at all, but a duck. He flapped in the breeze. He struggled, he flailed. No soaring going on, whatsoever.
I laughed out loud as I watched the duck flap by. Not so much at it, as at myself. So many times my life is perfectly represented by those two birds. I have high hopes and aspirations of soaring through life like the eagle; solving problems with ease, and changing course effortlessly when required. But all too often, I am the duck. I flap and flail my way through my days and problems. I fight the winds instead of soaring with them.
As I consider the New Year ahead of me, I think of the way that I can ultimately soar, rather than flap. The book of Isaiah says, “They that wait on the Lord…will rise up on wings like eagles.” In 2008, I pray that no matter what circumstances come my way, my mainstay will be to wait on the Lord, for only he has the power to keep me soaring.
A few days ago I was driving to work I was in full “New Years Euphoria”. I was pondering all things present and past. One of the nice things about the area I live in is that my daily commute is beautiful. The trees, mountains, valleys and large lake I drive by serve as a natural springboard for praise to God for his handiwork in creation and my life. As I started out onto the bridge to cross the lake, a very large Bald Eagle flew above my green sedan. With his huge wings spread, he soared effortlessly back and forth across the bridge. It was breathtaking. I nearly crashed my car attempting to keep my eye on him, rather than on the road in front of me. I watched as long as I could and the huge bird finally glided off in a different direction.
The bridge is two miles long. Hopeful of seeing the eagle come back, I kept watch toward the sky. My heart jumped a little when I saw him return. “Cool, there he is again.” I thought. But wait, something was wrong with the second bird. Definitely not the same bird. He wasn’t soaring effortlessly like the first one. As I continued nearer to him, I realized that it wasn’t eagle at all, but a duck. He flapped in the breeze. He struggled, he flailed. No soaring going on, whatsoever.
I laughed out loud as I watched the duck flap by. Not so much at it, as at myself. So many times my life is perfectly represented by those two birds. I have high hopes and aspirations of soaring through life like the eagle; solving problems with ease, and changing course effortlessly when required. But all too often, I am the duck. I flap and flail my way through my days and problems. I fight the winds instead of soaring with them.
As I consider the New Year ahead of me, I think of the way that I can ultimately soar, rather than flap. The book of Isaiah says, “They that wait on the Lord…will rise up on wings like eagles.” In 2008, I pray that no matter what circumstances come my way, my mainstay will be to wait on the Lord, for only he has the power to keep me soaring.
2 comments:
Cari, I don't make "resolutions," per se, but as the year comes to an end I do like to reflect on God's blessings, and then how I might better honor Him in the year ahead. I make a "prayer commitment" in my heart on the first day of the new year. This devo was thought provoking and I plan to print it out to put in my devotional book to reflect on again next January 1!
Blessings...PD in CO
Thank you and I can sure appreciate spiritual reflection of the year past and prayerfulness for the one to come. I have found that the past few years, in particular, after I mull over all my resolutions and wishes of things I would like to change, I ultimately find myself boiling it all down to one thing...to know and serve God better each year. Blessings to you and your family for 2008!
Post a Comment