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January 2014 seems like a
long time ago, but as I recall, I started the year out writing strong. Usually
I break for the summer because kids are out of school and everyone is out of
routine, so when fall arrived, I expected I'd get back to work. When things
were still chaotic in September, I held out hope for October, but that didn't
happen either. My mother had problems with her house and came to stay with us while
they were resolved (they still aren't, by the way). I never get much writing
done when she visits. She sees me on the computer and thinks I am wasting my
time. Her priority is for me to clean my house, to go to work, and spend time
with her. Not that I don't enjoy her company, but putting my writing on hold is
frustrating, especially when it becomes months.
There were other stressors
that got in the way of writing last year, but that was the big one. I try not
to dwell on the past except as a learning experience, since there's nothing I
can do to change what’s done. And there are seasons in one's life when your
priorities have to shift, at least for a time. I've been reading the earlier
posts from this month and see I'm not the only one living this.
At such times Philippians
3:13-14 encourages me:
No, dear brothers, I am still not all I should be, but I am bringing all my energies to bear on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God is calling us up to heaven because of what Christ Jesus did for us (Apostle Paul, The Living Bible)
I am still not all I should
be, but I am putting the past behind me and looking forward to what lies ahead.
My mom is visiting her sister now and I am able to get more writing done. I am
making use of the time I have until she returns. Hopefully, she'll be back in
her own home by the summer. She would like that too.
I've been reading books by
Christine Caine in the last little while, and I found this quote that
references past and future very instructive. Perhaps you will too:
When it comes to our dreams our thinking is extremely powerful. Just like the control panel of an aircraft determines its flight path, our thoughts will either take us toward our destiny or away from it, propelling us into our future or anchoring us to our past.
This is
another reason to learn from the past, but not to dwell there. I want to move
toward my destiny, not away from it. I want my writing to move ahead. God gave
me the talent and I've developed the skill. It seems wrong not to use it.
I want to leave you this powerful statement from Mother Teresa:
Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.
_________
For more
of my writing, please visit me at www.susan-barclay.ca
