Monday, May 19, 2014

How Soon We Forget




My journal entry spoke of my sadness. April 27th marked the 7th anniversary of my husband's departure for his heavenly home. While not in the throes of grief, part of me yearned for happier days.

Then I did something unusual. I went back to the first journal entry for 2014. Two words stood out: move forward. In life and in our writing, we sometimes spend too much time looking in the rearview mirror.

How quickly I'd forgotten those words.

My Mom's challenges with the broken hip, a difficult winter, and other events turned my focus around. For a brief time, I became weary and forgot where I was headed. The goals God put on my heart took a backseat to the pain of past and present.

We don't have to remain stuck in the past to appreciate it. Neither do we have to stay tethered to our present circumstances. In fact, we honor our loved ones and God by pursuing the plans He has for us. So, I've been reminded: move forward.

Writers and Readers:  Have you experienced a moment when you decided it's time to look to the future? Please share.

Photo Credit:  juliaf

6 comments:

Linda O'Connell said...

Sending you a heavy dose of peace and asking prayers for a little special needs by on my class Cole Zobrist who is going in for surgery tomorrow.

I just wrote an essay on forgiveness...and realized as I was writing it, that I must forgive myself.

Karen Lange said...

This is such a good and simple truth. I appreciate the reminder. It's so easy to sit back and wallow or just remain the same. Trusting the Lord to help me move forward each day.

Blessings,
Karen

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Linda - Thank you. I hope his surgery went well.

Hi Karen - It's easy to fall back into old habit patterns. I always pray that I'll be able to retain the lessons I've learned.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Patti J. Smith said...

Love this post, my friend! Moving forward is sometimes difficult but I know stagnating (for me at least)strips away hope, joy and creates a roadblock in my faith journey.

You are in my prayers!!!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Susan .. sorry I had not picked up about your mother's hip - but am glad that is improving. Looking after loved ones takes its toll - albeit we want to do our best for them.

The sadness of losing a beloved husband is bound to wrap itself around you at times ... it's good to remember all your times with him.

We take time to adjust and need time to do so too ... after my uncle and then my mother died I had some things to do, but not the responsibility of much thankfully .. and was able to quietly move forward -

I am definitely readjusting to life .. but now I seem to have gathered the threads together and am about move on in leaps and bounds ...

I'm so pleased your mother is getting better ... and you'll be adjusting your 'moving forward' to include her as you do so ..

With thoughts -Hilary

quietspirit said...

Susan: I haven't lost my husband.I have several friends who have. Somehow, they have kept trudging along. I understand it is a hard reality to have to face. With God by their side, these women have done what they had to do to get through the difficulties that can arise for them. These lessons are bittersweet ones but these women have managed. You will learn what you have to do and how to do it, as time goes by.