Gone But Not Forgotten!

     I read this thought the other day and it is so very very true: "Christmas may be gone for another year, but the Peace, Love, Healing, and Joy of Jesus is here with His gifts that have no end." Yes, the Christmas Season is over, but within days we begin a whole new adventure!!! Okay, a whole New Year! BUT who says it can't be an adventure? And even a positive one!! And how can we make it a positive adventure? By following the guidelines of the thought above.  BUT it will have to come from within ourselves. Others can help and be great examples, but any true positivity in our lives has to come from deep within us.

     To have "Peace" we have to be at peace with ourselves! If we do not learn to forgive ourselves and move on in peace with ourselves, we will never be able to have peace with others.

     To have "Love"; truly have true, deep, meaningful love for others, we have to also look within ourselves and change any selfish, judgmental, and unforgiving feelings we have for ourselves AND for others. 

     "Healing?" Healing only can come as we look inside of ourselves. Even if the pain we feel was caused by someone else, we can never heal if we cling to that pain. We HAVE to find the strength inside of ourselves to forgive, move on and allow time, our efforts, and the Lord's help to heal us!

     Joy? Joy comes by striving to do all of the things above as we also seek to follow in the footsteps of our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ! He is the way, the truth and the light!! He has taught us through word and action all of the above words we have discussed. But until we are willing to look deep inside of ourselves and find the power to overcome our weaknesses and build on the good strengths that we have, we will never be able to enjoy "Peace, Love, Healing, and Joy"!

     So with this adventure of the New Year of 2025, let us each take time to look inside and seek the Lord's help  in setting up a plan to become more like Him by daily striving to live those four words!!! Because, in reality, if you stop and think about it, those four words can cover every aspect of our lives!!