Changes and New Beginnings

Heading out early this morning to feed the birds I found myself lost in thought

as I stopped to notice the broken and bruised.

So many lay on the ground...

Badly bruised, barely hanging on, many heading for a fall...

My thoughts quickly moved to this past year, another 365 days gone.

Thinking about my life, family, friends, and you.

Some life events never to be forgotten.

Triumph,

blessing,

fun,

love,

laughter,

sickness,

loss,

careless and hurtful acts.

Truth is I am in control of so little in this life,

but my day to day decisions, I choose those.

I can choose wisely.

I can choose love,

to give more than I take.

I can choose compassion,

kind words,

to encourage.

I can choose to consider who I am as a person,

all my faults and failures and strive to become a better person,

rather than pointing my finger at others.

Often the hardest to endure is the hardship or trial one has to bear that is no fault of their own.

It can cost much, be emotionally draining, hurt to the core, cause one to believe there is no hope, all because someone else made a bad decision that impacted them.

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Truth is there are those that love us, give, encourage, and enrich our lives.

There are those that burden, take, hurt, and misrepresent us.

Whatever the circumstance,
life is always changing and full of new beginnings.

The way I choose to act or re-act to any given circumstance,
therein lies the very thing that has the potential to make me a much better person.
In times like these it is best to pray without ceasing.

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Love is a decision.

Kindness is a decision.

Giving is a decision.

The decision to put another first, to love when it hurts, to forgive the unforgivable,

this is the very essence of life and determines who we are as individuals.

This doesn't give license to others to do what they will to us,

it shapes who we are while God does His work in us and in them.

Moment by moment,
day by day,
year to year,
will we
build up or tear down?
Encourage or discourage?
Purpose to do good, put others first, or choose a me first approach?
It is our decision.

Though broken and bruised,

each is beautiful,

choose love and kindness, letting go of all else.

"If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men."

Romans 12:18

There is much to think about with the beginning of a new year,

there will be many changes and new beginnings.

Wishing you a year full of peace and joy!

Thanks for letting me share my heart with you.

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