feet_crossing_the_street_by_marketamedkova

Okay, technically we’ve already crossed the year. But this little nugget has proved so valuable to me and I pray it is to you too…

~

I finished writing the little devotional on fear and sent it to Jeff.

“Great,” He replied. “Let’s each write up some discussion questions to go with it.” Super.  I scratched out some thoughts, but before I clicked send his own set of questions popped up in my inbox. His questions were these:

1. Can you think of a time this past year when you were afraid? How did you respond and how did it turn out?

2. How can you see ways that God is delivered you from fear? What is one area where you used to be afraid and now are not?

Fair enough, right? However, my questions were these:

1. What unknown in the future is making you afraid of right now? Is there anything looming ahead that’s causing you anxiety?

2. How can you take that thing and go to God in prayer? What would it look like, practically, to trust Him with your future in this area?

See the difference? So small, yet so profound.

My man is a past-oriented person. I, a future-oriented.

He actually pointed this out to me several months ago. I narrowed my eyes and listened, skeptical. Now I see it everywhere; we’re really ridiculous creatures.

  • He loves to hold onto things. He keeps old clothes, pictures, books. For him they hold memories of the past.
  • I’m a ruthless purger. Haven’t worn it in a year? How about 6-weeks? Close enough. Toss it out. Kids haven’t played with it? Toss it out. Keep moving forward. Make room for new things we’ll inevitably get in the future.
  • He takes pictures. Remember the past.
  • I never take pictures.  Keep moving forward! (Update: I’m getting better at this!)
  • He never finishes the carton/bottle/box/bag/plate. Leave a little bit in there and keep it in the fridge/cupboard.
  • I drink/eat whatever little bit is left just so I can toss out the container and move on!
  • Jeff keeps receipts for decades.
  • I throw them away as soon as I get home.
  • Jeff loves studying history.
  • I love studying things that motivate me toward a better tomorrow.
  • The kicker? I have a dry-erase calendar on my fridge. I realized that I would erase every single day as soon as it was over, and would start over writing the next month in the blank spaces, so that at all times the calendar was all future dates. No record of what I’d done. Only un-lived days.
  • He doesn’t have a dry-erase calendar because he’d never erase it:)

Do you see? We really are all wired a little differently. Neither is better, but certainly very different. Thankfully, we’re learning from each other. Jeff is learning to throw away the ratty gym shorts and I’m learning to reflect, look back and bit and learn from yesterday before moving onto tomorrow.

And that’s what we need as we cross into 2014. 

Some of us, perhaps, are prone to gaze intently at the future. We’re ready, excited, climbed on board and racing toward another new year. Some of us, on the other hand, want to ride backwards on the train. can we just look behind and remember all the good. Reflect. Review?

We need both. So as we cross the year, perhaps we’d be blessed by setting aside some time for looking both ways? I’m looking forward to doing this tomorrow (haha! I even write with future-oriented language!), with Jeff. We’ll be asking ourselves these:

  • What was your greatest victory this past year?
  • What surprised you about the direction of your life this past year?
  • What was harder than you thought it’d be?
  • What was way better than you’d ever imagined?
  • In what way have you changed from January 2013 to December 2013?
and…
  • What are you hoping to see God do in you this year?
  • If you could choose one thing to change about yourself or your habits this year what would it be? 
  • What fruit of the Spirit will you focus on this year?
  • What spiritual discipline (prayer, reading Word, fasting, fellowship, service) would you like to grow in this year?
  • What current relationship would you like to invest in this year?

Just a few ideas to get started. Are you more past-oriented or future oriented in your thinking? I’m curious … Enjoy looking both ways as you cross into 2014, and I pray for God-inspired and God-initiated ideas, dreams, and reflections. {Thanks for reading.}

4 thoughts on “Look both ways before crossing the year”

  1. I am definitely a sentimental, reflector, saver! It’s funny you write these words right now My husband and I have just been cleaning and organizing the spare room and with that has shown our differences. I’m ooohing and ahhing over old pictures, remembering where we were at that particular time 10 years ago. While my husband just looks at them and says, “wow I look younger” then moves on. I really like the discussion questions. We will have to sit down and talk through them, will be a great way to connect. Thanks for your words!
    Chels

  2. This made me laugh out loud. This is exactly my husband and I but I never saw it in this perspective. Fresh thoughts to appreciate our marriage as a circle completed. Thank you!!!

  3. I am just like you keep move forward! Lol thanks for the reminder that we need both and I need to slow down and enjoy and reflect what God has already done for me. 🙂 Also what I have don’t bad and needs to work on.

  4. Funny. Sounds like my husband and me. I am definitely a forward thinker (primarily) and must work to enjoy the present. Great questions-thank you!

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