Sally Wessely

View Original

Thoughts on Moving Into A New Year

A word to carry with me as I move forward into 2012


hitherto |ˈhiðərˌtoō; ˌhiðərˈtoō|adverbuntil now or until the point in time under discussion
I love that this word is an adverb.  It tells how I will move from 2011 into 2012.  Hitherto implies looking back as one moves forward.  It serves as a reminder of the past as one goes into the future.  I'm not sure we can move forward if we are not able to carry with us lessons from the past.
In someways, it seems that my husband I have ended the past year at a somewhat tenuous point.He has not fully recovered from his recent heart procedure.We are having to implement new lifestyle changes.Each day presents its own new challenges.
Hitherto,we have met other challenges.We have faced these challenges together.
The journey is not done.Many miles have been covered in the past year.Mile markers have been reached,but the journey is not done.Thankfully, there are more miles of track to follow.

I am reminded of all the people who have been there to encourage me on my journey  throughout my life.
I am reminded of all the great blessings that I have received  throughout my life.
Today, I am especially reminded of that great passage of scripture in I Samuel 7:12 when Samuel erected a stone  and called it Ebenezer, meaning Stone of Help, and said,  Hitherto the Lord has helped us.
And so, it has always been that way for me. Hitherto, thus far, the Lord has helped.
I have no doubt that He will continue to do so as I move forward with renewed  hope into 2012.
Inspiration for this post came from the December 31 devotion from the classic devotional Streams in the Desert by Mrs. Charles E. Cowman.