Happy 2023 to you all! I pray this year will hold many special blessings for you and your families. I recently heard a quote that I thought was perfect wisdom to share for this first reflection of the year. A new year often makes us think about new beginnings, and often we have great expectations to change habits that might not be so beneficial for us. May this quote encourage you.
Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin. –Mother Teresa
Yesterday is gone-
This thought encourages us to remember that the past is gone. We cannot change what has happened in the past or live in the past.
However, it is beneficial to remember what God has done in our lives.
Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced. –Psalm 105:5 (NIV)
Remembering how God has worked in our lives through His various orchestrations gives us hope that He will continue to care for us today, in the present.
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Tomorrow has not yet come-
This reminds us that life is finite. We cannot live for tomorrow because we never know how many tomorrows we have. When we realize the truth of this, it helps us to avoid procrastinating and to work on the important things that matter in the present, the day before us.
Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. –James 4:14 (NIV)
Though we like to make plans for our tomorrows, it is important to remember that we only have tomorrow if God wills it for us.
We have only today-
Today is the present we have. Be encouraged to concentrate on today, the present, the present that is to us! We can seize today, which is ready to be filled with new opportunities and graces. We get to choose how we respond to today, living as if this may be our last day.
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. –Psalm 118:24 (ESV)
We can rejoice each day with the gift of today that God gives us! Yes, rejoice and be glad in the present.
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Let us begin-
How can we begin today? Can you think of a small change you want to make regarding something physical, spiritual, emotional, or intellectual that you want to improve upon?
Do you want to…
…be inspired to show an act of kindness to one person daily?
…make time to take a ten minute walk around the block?
…focus on one attribute you can emulate to be more Christlike?
…take care of paperwork right away?
…choose one thing you can work on to improve your physical health?
…have a more positive attitude when things start going wrong?
…take a few minutes to study something that interests you?
…say no to that extra cup of coffee?
Can I challenge you, as I am myself, each day to take at least ONE step forward to change for the better?
I am finding when I intentionally take one step to become a better me, it helps me know I can do more little by little. It encourages me to keep finding ways to grow.
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Be encouraged this week knowing…
…yesterday is history.
…tomorrow might not come.
…today is the day of opportunities and graces.
…today is the day to begin anew.
…you can’t change yesterday.
…you can’t control tomorrow.
…you can make the most of today.
…every day counts.
Go live life to the fullest today!
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. –2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)
Note: If this reflection inspired some thoughts on something you are or would like to improve upon please feel free to share in the comment section below. Thanks in advance!
Hi Christine, Happy New Year ! While I try to live life to the fullest every day sometimes I just forget to do it. Some things might get in the way that I need to put aside and concentrate on today’s goodness. A friend of mine challenged all of his Facebook friends to keep a “jar of good things”. Each week of this year, jot a note down about something good that happened to you (or something that made you feel good). I started my first week with the news of our newest grandbaby (born on 1/6)…….that’s a pretty good start to my year. I’m not sure if that one will be topped. A blessing to be sure.
Happy New Year to you and your family, Jeff! And congrats on the grandbaby~ a great gift from above for sure. I appreciate you sharing about the “jar of good things.” It is a perfect way to keep God’s goodness foremost in our lives. May God’s richest blessings continue for you and your family this year. I’m grateful for the inspiration you provide.
Beautiful perfect words from Mother Teresa. Let us follow her lead. Let us stop waiting for something to happen but instead let us start now to make it happen. We say today, “yes Lord, your will be done”
Yes, beautiful words. Thanks for sharing those beautiful words to provide inspiration this week! 🙂 God is good. Yes, be encouraged to be the change this world needs as we continue to follow the Lord’s will! God bless you, Michael.
Great message as always Christine! Happy New Year! I want to start this year with being more like Jesus.
The way I Act, Speak and Listen to people. I also want to be more aware of myself and to take care of me. Spiritually, Physically, Intellectually. Start each day with positivity. So Blessed to have my health and be able to get up and start a new day. God is good and no matter what, he is always right by our sides. Thank you always for inspiring me my friend! God Bless You!
Happy New Year to you and your family, Lorie! Thank you so much for faithfully reading and for sharing the ways you want to improve daily. Yours sound just like mine! Be encouraged to try to take one little step each day on this journey and keep pressing on with growing. I am grateful for the gift you are in my life… so blessed to know and love you!
Hi Christine!
My sister Jan forwarded this to me and I am really glad she did ! I have heard that quote before but your ideas are really interesting and something I would like to try , plus a few of my own. I also plan to use that jar idea poster Jeff suggested (because being sometimes forgetful , it is a good reminder & visual aid to see how many good things I have done and had happen ). Peace in the New Year to you and yours.
Hello, Mare and thank you so much for taking time to read and to share. It encourages me to know that others are being blessed through reading and finding ways to implement growth in their faith journey. I love to see God’s ripple effect of His orchestrations in our lives. Blessings to you! I appreciate you.
I will never give up my second cup of coffee! I will try my best to do better today, knowing that tomorrow may not be there for me. Nice inspiration! Blessed are they who believe!
Thanks so much for faithfully reading and sharing, Arlington. I see where your loyalty lies! 😉 I am glad you were inspired, especially to do your best today! Thanks for the many ways you serve and help so many. You are a blessing.