“The only time she looked back was to see how far she came.”

YES!!!

The cover of this journal confirmed why I journal and how I choose to live my life!

It was an AHA moment, an epiphany, the sweet whisper of God into my spirit letting me know the following…

“The unhealthy relationships of the past are and will still be the unhealthy relationships of your present.  Don’t drag anything with you into the future. God has cleansed and redeemed YOU not them!  This is your journey.  Keep it pure and protected.  Don’t invite anyone in that doesn’t belong there.”  (Sept. 18, 2005)

This came to me during a season in which I was desperately trying to reconcile a relationship that was clearly dead, and I wanted to resurrect.  At that time I didn’t completely understand that both parties need to want the same thing.

As this revelation became apparent in my heart, mind, and soul, I began to realize that the only time I should look back was to give thanks and be so very grateful to see how far I’ve come and quickly learned some things you just need to gently let go…

I now understand many folks live in the past because those were “their” best days.  I’ve learned to live in the present and look forward to the future. I’ve learned to forgive freely.

As I look forward – “51” feels determined, stronger, accomplished, peaceful, loving, exciting, rewarding, thankful, amazed, prayerful, hopeful, willing, available, expectant, joyful, miraculous.

This is how I choose to live.

Lesson: 

Look towards the future, forgiving, loving and forgetting the hurts of the past.  Do not be held hostage by hurt.  Live freely. Live generously. Love.

“Forget about what’s happened; don’t keep going over old history.  Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand new.  It’s bursting out!  Don’t you see it? There it is! I’m making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands.” (Isaiah 43:18-19)

‘Til Tuesday