Good Morning,
Sitting on a plate at my desk is a hot cup of door County Jingle Bell Java Coffee and it is time to write.
It is going to be the start of a new year in a few days and I have a thought or two about that. When I choose a coffee to drink what happens after I drink it, is important to me. I like the immediate taste of the coffee I choose, but if I can still taste it an hour later I will probably not drink it again. I don't like to carry the taste with me all morning long. The after taste is not something I want on my palette much after the coffee warms me up and pleases my senses.
Where am I going with this? It is simple. As the new year starts there is probably still something that occurred last year or many years ago that is still there leaving a bitter taste in your heart. You carried it for some time now or even just for a short time it does not allow you to taste and see what God is doing each day.
Psalm 34:8 ESV Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good ! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him
Psalm 119:103 How sweet are your words to my taste and sweeter than honey to my mouth.
The bitterness of the wound stirs up anger, mistrust, and causes you to build upon the pains of your heart. Even the best of times keeps you from enjoying anything good. You wouldn't wash a tasty prime rib down with a cup of one year old muddy coffee. So instead of enjoying a fresh cup or a cold glass of water you choose to not even enjoy your plate of delicious steak at all. We find it hard to celebrate the joy of others.
God never barges in to heal your plate of hurt. He respects and loves us so much that He waits for us to call upon Him. Once we do call upon Him, there is strength anew to move on, forgive if needed, and enjoy life once more. I needed to do that myself and I did about two hours ago, when I saw that my hurt and anger is not doing me or anyone else any good. I needed to have my trust in God reinstalled to accept that He has a plan for my life and in the pains of life He can pick me up, brush me off and take away the bitter taste if I let Him. He puts the song of forgiveness in my heart where a heart of concrete has set up a wall that is not healthy nor good for anyone else.
So if I am going to carry anything into this next year I am going to carry peace, joy. love and trust.
Food for thought. My you be blessed this day and every day!
Marty
Oh, the nauseous after taste of the past that twists our souls into deep roots of bitterness. Casting all of my care upon the one who offered to carry my load takes a huge effort of humility.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this reminder not to carry that load into a brand new year.
It is not hard to understand that the pain of tragedy can anchor itself in our hearts but to break its hold is done with God's love and protection.
ReplyDeleteLove you Martin