There is a truism that I’m finding more true as I grow older; time passes more quickly as we age. There seems to be an exponential component to the passage of time as we get into the latter seasons of our lives. Many of us are saying, “Where did that year go?” I’m a Frank Sinatra fan. Frank would have been 102 this year and his song “It was a Very Good Year” always puts a tear in my eye and a little nostalgia in my heart. I also like the Psalms and one of my favorite verses comes from Psalm 90, verse 12: “Teach us to number our days that we might gain a heart of wisdom.”
Some members of Emmanuel have gained/earned that heart of wisdom through a lifetime of thoughtful, reflective living and spiritual growth. Others of us, struggle with living in the present and moving into the future while leaving the past behind. I have a little mantra which I’ve shared with you which I encourage you to bring into 2018: “I will not bring the mistakes and regrets of yesteryear into this new year.”
Remember that none of us is perfect. We usually do the best we can. We make mistakes and we sometimes get it wrong. Gaining a “wise heart” and making the most of the time we have on this earth and the time we have left depends on our willingness to let go of the past and embrace the future. 2017 was a “very good year” for me. I know some of you have struggled with deep disappointments, health challenges and suffered various loses this year but I challenge you to turn the page in your mind and open your hearts to being surprised by grace in 2018.