Looking Back to Look Ahead

I was spending a bit of time the other day unravelling a mess of yarn. Somehow a neat ball of yarn had become one mass of knots!  So, I sat there meditatively working through it, undoing knots, pulling yarn through here and there, winding it until it was ready to be turned into something purposeful. 

This new skein of yarn has so much potential. What is it going to become? How am I going to engage with it? I think back to the knitting projects I've completed, the ones I never finished, the ones I frogged several times because I kept failing at it, and the ones I was proud of. And then I plan ahead and consider what projects I'd like to spend my time on. Which ones will be gifts? Which will be for me? What will they become?  How will I react to messes I'll encounter?

That mess of yarn reminded me of the year we have just come out of. So many times, I didn't know which way was up, which way was out! What to believe? What to do? What not to do? Who to listen to? My emotions ran the gamut from despair to hope, and everything in between. That was 2020. I want to learn from these last 12 months and enter 2021 with peace, purpose and expectancy. 

And to do that, I must first look back. Only then can I look ahead; how else will I  know where I am? 

What worked for me this year? 

What didn't?

What will I change? 

What will I continue to do? 

These can be heavy questions, but I'd suggest just starting with one thing. 

This past year was the first year I've ever used a bullet journal. This isn't a fancy schmancy expensive journal, just a basic hardcover, lined, spiral notebook. I bought it at a dollar store, and by trial and error, I created categories that work for me. This is an example of something I'm taking with me into 2021. Definitely! 

This past year I also let disagreements and disengagement fester much too long. I've realized life is too short to hold onto negativity. And so, by the grace of God, I'm letting that habit die (or wrestling it to the ground!)  One day at a time!  This is an example of something I am NOT taking with me into 2021. 

Would you like to share what you're taking with you or leaving behind in 2021? 

X is for eXpectancy

My grandchild's eyes light up when he knows he's heading for a ride in the car or for a walk outdoors. He might not know exactly what's going to happen (and he has no control over where he's being taken), but he is still excited about the adventure ahead. He may not have a lot of expectations in his young life, but expectancy is something he has in spades.

Expectations are about what you think will likely or even specifically happen. They often lead to disappointment. 

Expectancy is about anticipation. That's another word I really love. I used to have a little sticky note with ANTICIPATE! written on it. It reminded me that when life throws curve balls, and I felt little control,  I could trust and take comfort, especially when believing that God is near and knows the whole story, beginning, middle, and end. Expectancy says "I don't know what's going to happen, but I believe it will be good". 

I'd like to be have less expectation and more expectancy. How about you?