Today, I simply want to share a letter from a friend of mine. Though her personal struggles may not be fitted to you, I think we all relate in some way or another. She is looking for a Do-Over in 2008, there are times when I need a do-over everyday.
Our firm decision is to work from this focused center: One man died for everyone. That puts everyone in the same boat. He included everyone in his death so that everyone could also be included in his life, a resurrection life, a far better life than people ever lived on their own. Because of this decision we don’t evaluate people by what they have or how they look. We looked at the Messiah that way once and got it all wrong, as you know. We certainly don’t look at him that way anymore. Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it! All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other. God put the world square with himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start... 2Corinthians 5:16-18
“Today as I laid across my bed, attempting to rest a little before work tonight, I began to reflect on this year. It is appropriate as in two weeks we will be celebrating 2008.
Last year as I geared up for 2007, I had high hopes of what laid ahead in the coming year. Sunny skies were here again and love was in the air. Life was going very well….maybe too well. I was looking forward to London and the beach trip with my gal pals from SC. Looking back now I can’t help but chuckle as it seems that every month brought a new disappointment in some form or fashion….some much more shattering than others. There were times when I felt I was walking in the wilderness and no one, not even God, could understand. I know, I know this sounds so very dramatic….well, let’s face it, it’s me we’re talking about here people…I can be dramatic from time to time. And though life was not that terrible, my heart, at the time, did not know the difference.
In retrospect, I am not at all where I thought I would be by the end of the year. That for which I had hoped to come to pass has not. In this year I have had more strife with so called friends than ever before. I have hurt close friends in ways that I never thought I would. I have allowed myself to be taken advantage of by ones I trusted. I have loved, been loved, and left broken hearted. I have experienced great days of sunshine followed by many days of clouds and rain. I have accomplished many goals and still managed to disappoint myself and others. I have learned much and, yet, have learned nothing at all.
So where am I? haha Well, I am right where started. My geography has changed~slightly and I am working at the hospital once again. I think God must be giving me a “mulligan” for the year…a do over, if you will, for 2008. A chance to correct my many mistakes. Then again, maybe not. After all, why chance screwing up my do over when I know that I am simply forgiven? That, in itself, is enough for me.
Some people have said that I have changed and they are right. If I didn’t change in some way would this year have been worth it? I don’t know, when this comment was made, if it was meant that I had changed for the good or the bad. I guess that is up for interpretation. What I do know is that I once again I look forward to the coming year and what it holds. Despite my experiences in 2007, I choose to move on and forward. Surely there will be disappointments and failures. And I can guarantee that I will tick someone off on a daily basis. However, more often than not, there will be days when I am surrounded by those whose laughter overwhelms my soul and friendship fills my heart. It’s those moments that I look forward to the most.
So, to each of you, I hope the new year brings much joy, hope, laughter, and growth. Love to you all.” ~Melanie Tarte
MOVING FORWARD
[audio:http://www.fromonemomtoanother.com/mp3/movingforward.mp3]
Oh my sweet friend…what you have done to me this morning. If my little letter brings nothing to anyone else, it has certainly evoked more reassurance in me this morning..especially paired with that song. After rereading my writing, I listened to the song. I sit here now still with tears in my eyes. I have been a christian for just over ten years and feels as though, for the the first time I get it. Finally, after the years of struggling for control (haha) I have decided to say YES to God and let him do His “thing”…he knows much better how to do it than I! Thanks for posting this. I love you!
I think that this was a timely post for many people that I know. Sometimes it seems we accomplish so little, but we don’t see how we have grown on the inside. God is most surely the God of 2nd chances. I count on that often.
Very nice post Mel. Thanks for using it Angel. You are such a good friend to us all.
I think we all love those do-overs that He gives to us. I’m sure that you probably did a lot of things right, last year. You probably helped and encouraged a lot of people, too.