Yesterday I took down all the old calendars and put up the new ones for 2012. It was nice to see some thing new and fresh hanging in the spots where the old calendars had hung . . . the written over, dog eared and old was gone, replaced with nice pristine, clean and crisp pages. How clean and bright the new ones look!
Marie @ A Year From Oak Cottage
wrote this marvelous piece. With her permission I am sharing this complete MUST read.
They seem to symbolize the high hopes of the new year. As I flicked through the pages of one of them I suddenly became aware of the mysteries of an unknown future . . . all those clean pages representing unlived time, all the promise of the seasons to come and not yet fulfilled dreams of the future . . . days not yet granted, which are still God's secret . . . it is quite awesome and wonderful to think about. What amazing and wonderful things will this year hold for each of us.
We had a very good lesson in Relief Society yesterday. The teacher began by writing these words on the white board: "Look not behind thee." We then read the story of Lot and his family who had been living in the Cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, which were very wicked places and how they had been visited by Angels and told that the Lord was going to destroy those cities, but because they were righteous that they were to flee immediately, leaving everything behind . . . but also warning them not to look back, or they too would be destroyed. When they were fleeing Lot's wife looked back and was turned into a Pillar of salt. You can read the whole story in Genesis, Chapter 19 in the bible. Here are the angel's exact words:
Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.
That is some pretty heavy duty warning . . .
For the remainder of the lesson we sat and talked about the ways this warning can still pertain to us today, in today's climate of fear and uncertain times. As I sat there listening to the other sister's speak . . . the thought occurred to me that this story could also be an allegory for our own pasts . . .
We all come with one. Our pasts stretch behind us like the written on pages of a calendar . . . the pages all spotted and tattered . . . words and works scribbled all over them . . . some pages dirtier than others. Sometimes it seems that we can only remember the things that we have done that we may be ashamed of . . . and we carry them into our futures like badges of dishonor, bringing them out every once in a while to beat ourselves with . . . or I do at any rate. I have made some terrible choices and mistakes in the past . . . things I cannot change or undo . . .
Things I am terribly sorry for and that I have repented of . . . but still I cling to them, allowing them to punish me even now. The thought occurred to me as I was sitting there . . . that as long as I clung to the past that I have no power over . . . I risked turning my present and future into a pillar of salt . . . just as Lot's wife had done in turning back to look towards Sodom and Gomorrah as they escaped into the mountains.
When I was Baptised . . . my sins were washed clean from me . . . "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow." (Isaiah 1:18) Why do I still lug that past along with me? I have no need to . . . in Baptism I was given a new life . . . a fresh life and I am a new person. It is time to forgive myself, and even if there are still people in my family who wish to use and hold some of these things against me, I just have to move forward and stop looking back at things which I should have done differently, or things I should not have done at all. I should not let the narrow mindedness and unforgiving natures of a few people colour my future or write on my pages. Let this be their sin . . . for it is no longer mine.
Anyways, that was my thoughts . . . and I just wanted to share them with you. We all have a past. We all have a future. Let us move into our futures embracing all the promise and hope that they hold, leaving behind the things we cannot change.
"Look not behind thee." Don't you think it's time?
http://www.ayearfromoakcottage.org/2012/01/look-not-behind-thee.html
~~~~~
Thank you Marie for this beautiful piece & allowing me to share. And may I add, THIS is EXACTLY what we are doing.
We have tried for many years to change things, with deep love & no reciprocation. Our hearts were/are broken but we have to accept what will not be changed despite our love & heart extended hands ... tho we continue to have HOPE & LOVE. May God direct them before it is too late, to resolve for their selves their issues. We are here, still/always/forever/with love.
Love Is... ladies ~
Anne
Sherry
Tete is on break
Marydon, thank you so much for the lesson today. Something we all need to hear, but especially me in the past weeks. I remember that bible story as a child and it always scared me. It is very powerful and something we really need to be mindful of! Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteDear Marydon, A lovely post today - with lots of good reading. I like the quote; out with the old in with the new. Live in the NOW! Have a nice and relaxing Sunday!
ReplyDeleteBig hugs x
Eva
marydon, thank you for sharing. i have often looked back , because yes, i have regrets of days long gone and i can do nothing about. God wants us to live today. once we asked for forgiveness, we are to forget that transgression. it is hard to do. i am glad we have God to talk with.xoxo, Susie
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post! I love starting a New Year:) Have a blessed day dear Marydon, HUGS!
ReplyDeleteCan't read this too many times. I am making every effort not to look back and look ahead to the future. Hugs to you and Harold, sweet friend!
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful lesson for all of us to learn... thank you Marydon for sharing this!! :):):):)
ReplyDeleteMarydon,
ReplyDeleteLet's just say I need that! Thanks so much for sharing. The New Year has brought new beginnings. It's time to "sign off" on the past. For the "past has passed." A belated Happy New Year!
Have a beautiful rest of the weekend and a most awesome week!
:)Marilyn
Well, as often as I have heard and thought of that passage, I only now thought of it like that. Forgive ourselves as we are forgiven and then forget without looking back. Thank you. When I was a child I though Lot's wife was turned into a "pillow" of salt.
ReplyDeleteA very powerful post, Marydon, and great words of wisdom. thank you for sharing your friend's thoughts and for yours as well.So many times I have looked back instead of looking forward thanks for the reminder. I don't want to become a pillow of salt!.
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting me and for your kind words.
Hugs,
Sue
Hi lovely lady.
ReplyDeleteI love your lovely post today!! Today it is raining out great time to do some relaxing and reading your post sweet. Thanks so much for your comment on the Pink Pig !! he is so sweet. I will be putting a Tablescape on tomorrow and it will be pink.
XXOO Diane
Thanks so much (Marydon and Marie) for sharing. I think it is also a much needed lesson in obedience (which I need).
ReplyDeletexoxoxoxo,
RJ
Marydon~ What a powerful post/lesson. It is not always easy to write and/or hear the truth but it sure echoes plainly through your blog today- Blessngs- Diana
ReplyDeleteI think someone said this already, but having read -- and RE-read ... I'm sitting here muttering over and over, "Powerful!"
ReplyDelete... and, timely!
This is something to clip n' paste to the inside of my "medicine cabinet" (why do they still call them that?) where I can see it each morning ... before the world intrudes. :)
Hugs,
Myra
Great post and I think looking forward is the best!
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting me!
Warmly,
deb
I was stopping by to check on you - thank you for the lesson. How are you doing? sandie
ReplyDeleteInteresting thoughts on "look not behind thee," Marydon. I think it's good advice to look to the future.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Marydon. Just beautiful. I had to read through it a few times because it meant so much.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing.
Hi Marydon, Thank you for sharing such a wonderful post by Marie. It is so true and thought provoking.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a wonderful start of a new week in the new year.
Love to you, CM
Beautifully written Marydon! I am so happy I know you. You always get a girl to thinking. I love your share today. That Love is...is darling too! Hugs Anne
ReplyDeleteP.S. My hubby talks like this to our children always. They need to firmly have a grasp on their faith so or else nothing will matter, Love to you and Harold and of course sweet Miss M!
I love this post. It's beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI also really adore calendars - I have only one at the house (a Susan Branch calendar), that I use to record everything and when I take down the old calendars, I keep them as a diary of sorts. I like to look back, but you are so right about needing to look forward and to embrace the present. Interestingly, my husband actually cautioned me lately not to be like "Lot's Wife" - in fact, he reminded me that I was looking very much like her (in my actions of course), and true enough, I've made a history and career of looking back in the way I write about it. But I've forgotten sometimes that I need to look to NOW and to pray where God might be leading me.
Many blessings towards your new year.
Linda
Oh, sweet friend: You know "I get it" and I love you! I pray yours and mine will "all" get it before it is too late and become the people GOD created them to be!
ReplyDeleteBIG HUGS, lots of LOVE, and continued PRAYERS,
Andrea
BTW: Thank you for stopping by arise 2 write. I treasure your comments, love, and encouragement! LOVE YOU!!
ReplyDeleteNicely said. It is always intersting to look back at the year past and see what occured and what was forgotten. The good,the bad the happy and the sad.
ReplyDeleteA new year gives us a fresh start to make new memories.
Melinda
Nicely said. It is always intersting to look back at the year past and see what occured and what was forgotten. The good,the bad the happy and the sad.
ReplyDeleteA new year gives us a fresh start to make new memories.
Melinda
I too love the start of a new year, love putting up the new calender that is full of promise. A good writ here, I enjoyed it much. (I am using Blurbs to do my blog book) :D
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful and meaningful post! I'm so thankful you shared this. Very good reminder and really puts things in perspective.
ReplyDeleteThanks and may your new year be full of blessings!
Oh Marydon,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing and a great big thank you to Marie for allowing you to share her very inspiring post with us. Wishing you both a wonderful new year full of hope.
Much love,
♥Ana
Why is it so hard to forgive ourselves...even when we KNOW God has forgiven us?
ReplyDeleteThanks for passing this writing along. We all need to hear this every now and then, I think.
Hugs, bj
It's a new year! I don't know why it is as we get older we fear more the bad things that could happen instead of enjoying today and taking it day by day....This is going to be a great year, at least today is!
ReplyDeleteCarol
Yes honey it is time for us both to do this. I can't imagine as sweet and loving as you are that you would have anyone holding something against you but no longer will you look back. Just forward honey because I love you and I want what is best for you.
ReplyDeletePowerful message in this post tonight and I am glad you shared it with us.
Have a wonderful week and God Bless you and thank you for being you
and my friend
Love
Maggie
This is priceless wisdom! Marie's thoughts are something we all should take to heart, and try to live. I too look back too much on the past. And each day is, as you say, a blank page with gifts only yet to be revealed by our Heavenly Father. Loved this post!
ReplyDeleteI use a big calender plan, and it is helpful to write down appointments.
ReplyDeleteLike you say, the next year, you take them down with lots of scribbles and stains.
Dear Marydon, thank you so much for sharing this lesson with us today, I really needed to read that. I must look ahead and not let past hurts interfere with my future. It does no one any good, especially me. I too put up new calendars up the other day and seeing all the blank dates makes me wonder what all those days will bring for me...I look forward to them with hope and love:-) xoxo
ReplyDeleteLovely post, sweet Marydon. Hope you are having a terrific start to 2012!! Love you!
ReplyDeleteA very poignant post with such private personal thoughts on life's situations, and actions. I really appreciated the fact that you shared so much of yourself.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, a new calendar is like a new beginning!!!
STAR OF INDIA
Hi Marydon,
ReplyDeleteI was stopping by to wish you a very happy and sweet New Year full of wonderful blessings..
Big hugs, Elizabeth
Marydon, What a wonderful blog I am going to visit her site. It is right and so true. Sometimes I agonize over the mistakes I have made and forget the good things in life. It is so easy to dwell and I love the thought of a brand new page, crisp and ready to be written on, thank you so much for sharing, Maureen.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post, Marydon. I try to focus on good things especially happening in the present like now. Please come and meet my twin granddaughters!...Christine
ReplyDeleteHi lovely lady.
ReplyDeleteI all ways love reading your lovely story.. Thank you so much for the one today.. I would like to thank you so much for your sweet comments on my new Tablescape. I do hope you and your family have a wonderful week.
XXOO Diane
O little miss M is so sweet with the white Bow in her hair..
I like your thoughts on all the clean pages unknown and they are a surprise to us as we move through each day. I wanted to add to that that we have some influence on what is written on those pages…those wonderful opportunities we plan and take and look forward to. Some people may have a blank calendar and it may be for choice while others fill theirs with as much as they can to fulfil their lives. THAT is looking at the glass ½ full with only positive thoughts….
ReplyDeleteThe warning is a good reminder. We shouldn’t look back and dwell with what has happened as we forge forward…
Have a wonderful day..*hugs*
Judi
Hi Marydon, Thanks for sharing this lesson. I like thinking about the new calendar that way too. It's hard sometimes to not look back and wonder. We can't change things that have happened and we must go forward. Have a wonderful Pink Saturday. Hugs, Linda
ReplyDeleteThis post was deeply moving for me. You don't know how hard it is not look behind you and focus on the today. Especially when it is your family and your heart is breaking!
ReplyDeleteI will probably come back and read this more than once.
Thank you for reposting it from Marie.
♥ Jil
Loved this sweet and profound post, dear Marydon.... I'm looking ahead...maybe that will be my new "word" for the New Year..ok, more than ONE word, but I'm a wordy chick. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for your well wishes....dang, this is some yukkkky stuff. Hopefully it'll kick in soon and I'll think the whole dang thing was worth the pain.
Big huggies to you dear one...
xoxoxo
S
Thanks for sharing the lesson.. I love out with the old and in with the new.. hope you have a blessed weekend dear lady... Susie
ReplyDeleteHi Marydon, I really like that red car below post, what a sweet ride that would be. I hope you have an awesome week, with lots of pink in it.
ReplyDeleteHi Marydon, What a wonderful share, something I have stopped in my tracks to think about. This is so true and a lesson to use to start the new year. Thanks for sharing a beautiful post, it's made my day!
ReplyDelete~Emily
The French Hutch
Hi Marydon,
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post! Love life and life will be you joy! :-)
xo,
Dee
that was a beautiful lesson to learn! How often I seem to go back and wish I had done things different. Regrets, we seem to carry them with us most of the time...should have, would have, could have.....
ReplyDeleteBut what struck me the most is that looking back we make our future a pillar of salt.
Wonderful post, Marydon.
Hello Marydon, Thank You so much for you visit today. Have a beautiful week.....Tallulah
ReplyDelete