REFLECTIONS FOR THE NEW YEAR: Can I Let Go?

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51.10

It occurs to me as we approach the new year…2009 – WOW!!!…that we/I should spend a moment reflecting on what we want to take into the new year with us.

The “clean heart” would be a heart free of resentments and grudges.  In reflecting I think about the people/institutions that I am holding resentments or grudges against.

• Do I really remember the details behind it or have I just transferred the ill feeling to the person/institution so that all I need do is see or think about them to recall the feeling – not the details, just the feeling.
• Is the ill feeling really justified, or a product of the anger or hurt of the moment.  Have I analyzed “my” part in it?
• Most important, “how does the resent/grudge serve me?”  When I think of the person/institution, does the anger/hurt elevate my state of mind?  Does it add to my quality of life?  What would I lose by letting go of it?

As for the “right spirit”… I think it would be “forgiveness”, compassion, acceptance.

• My compassion sometimes gets bottled up by envy or…a “poor me” attitude.  Can I remember that there is always someone who envies me?  That no matter how bad off I think I am, there is always someone worse off.  Conversely, when I am at the top and doing well…can I remember to “Pay it Forward”, reach out my hand to help another move up, reach their potential and “shine?”
• Acceptance reminds me that I really have no right to have expectations of others.  Just as I want people to accept me as I am, I need to be willing to accept others.  To accept their failures and short-comings as well as celebrate their accomplishments. To encourage and pray for and with them.
• Finally, there is forgiveness.  I know that in some cases forgiveness is hard to grant, especially when we have been wronged – really wronged.  But forgiveness is an “action” word – a conscious act of will. So  no matter how righteous is my complaint, I must make a conscious decision to forgive.
• Though it is hard…I have found that to pray for the person I need to forgive every day/night for two weeks softens my heart so that I can feel the matchless forgiveness of my Savior, Jesus Christ, realizing all that He has forgiven me and “continues” to forgive me daily.  Sometimes – I have to pray for four weeks or more, until I can say in my heart – I forgive you.

My best wishes and prayers to you and yours for a safe, happy and prosperous 2009.

In Christ’s Service,

Rev. Margaret

www.revmargaret.ws

President Obama vs Superbowl

My son and I had a discussion as to which was most watched worldwide.  He thinks it was the Superbowl.  But, I disagree.  I looked at all these pictures from The Boston Globe and I just don’t see it.

What do you think?

A Quick Message

Hello world!

“ANOTHER MILESTONE”
(December 18, 2008)

So, December 14 was my birthday.  I’m now 65. I’m not quite sure how I’m supposed to feel about it.  I remember when I turned 30 and I told my Mom I didn’t feel 30.  She said, “How do you know?  Have you ever been 30 before?”  Have to admit…she had a point. I’ve never been 65 before either, but inside I don’t feel 65.  Aside from a few more aches and pains here and there, I don’t feel any different than I did 20 years ago.  Oh well, I guess “more will be revealed.”

“I’LL JUST LEAVE”
(December 2, 2008)

Our kids can sure surprise us sometimes.  I have a 10-year old grandson, “Tony”, whose test scores in are the high school range. He loves football and loves to ask questions.  All kinds of questions – some of which we have no idea how to answer.  He is also a natural leader.  He has an entourage following him whenever he’s out and about playing in the neighborhood.

The other night he was to spend the night with his friend “Tommy”.  “Jeff” wanted to spend the night as well but Tommy only wanted Tony.  Next “Susie” Jeff’s sister got permission from her parents to spend the night.  At this point, Tommy’s parents stepped in and said if Jeff couldn’t spend the night then neither could Susie.  This started a big hoopla as Jeff argued his point.

Meanwhile, Tony was standing to the side taking it all in.  Finally, he said, “I’ll just leave.”  and he did.  Tommy’s parents drove him home at 1:00 am.

When relating the story to me, Tony said “It just turned out to be too big a deal, everybody yelling and screaming.  It just wasn’t worth it.”

Am I proud of Tony for his “grown-up” decision?  You bet I am!!!  I told him so and he just took it in stride.  I know he was pleased, just too cool to show it.  Kids!!!