"Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed."

Thursday, December 31, 2009

Last Day of the Year Stuff

Happy last day of the year! Another year has come and is nearly gone. I don't know about you, but whenever the newscasts have those "In Memory" segments where they show all the famous people who died the previous year, I get kind of teary. There are so many people much dearer to me and you that die every year and they aren't publicly recognized. I'm not griping about that though - I know those people aren't famous in the world's eyes. My point is, even seeing these people it just makes you realize how short life is. There's Michael Jackson or Ted Kennedy or Patrick Swayze full of life, full of purpose and then they are no more on this planet. Death plays no favorites.

Boy, do I sound grim!

I checked my calendar from last December and realized we got our visas to Syria exactly one year ago today. I can't help but feel a bit of a let down this year when compared to the excitement of preparing for that trip. Although, to be honest, I hated packing and preparing so I don't miss that part. I just miss being there!

I finished Christine Mallouhi's book this morning and the last couple of chapters really spoke to my heart. Maybe one day I'll post about those things. For sure, I need to reread this book because it has some great stuff for someone like me.

Here's a quote I came across is a magazine recently. The article dealt with people who were not looking for Jesus. In fact they hated Christians and Christianity and wanted nothing to do with either. Yet Jesus "found" them. The quote: "Believers aren't people who have answered every question about Jesus. They are people who have met Him." I really liked that for some reason.

I was asked on a previous post about the Holy Spirit and who he is. So I'm going to work on a post about what or who the Holy Spirit is to me. I think that's a great question!

One last thing, I was reading just now in Matthew and wanted to share this passage. Maybe your year was full of burdens and struggles. Perhaps it was mostly great, but you still feel something is weighing you down. Maybe life is great for you now, but you will need help in coming days. Regardless, I hope you are encouraged as you read - and respond to - these words from Jesus.

28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."


Ooooh, I just read this post about "holy anticipation" from one of my favorite encouraging bloggers. I wanted to record it here. I needed that.




2 comments:

Achelois said...

happy last day of the year to you too, Susanne! What a unique thought.

Usually I get very depressed on dec. 31st. Is that normal?

Susanne said...

I think it's fairly typical to be somewhat depressed after Christmas, yes. I get that feeling of "let down" somewhat and I know others do as well. There's all this hype about Christmas and then, bam, it's over and January, by contrast, can be rather boring.

On the other hand, some people tend to be really hopeful since they can say "goodbye" to one year that maybe was tough and look forward to a new start in a new year. I think we need to analyze these tendencies in people. ;-)

Did you get that same depressed feeling yesterday? I get nostalgic quite often and I have a strong melancholic streak so I also get a bit "depressed," too.

Still I like wishing happy days to others. :)

Hope your new year is going well thus far.

I *finally* replied to you on my other posts yesterday. I apologize for the delay in doing that.