looking forward by looking back

We live in a world consumed by the need to change.

Every day something changes.  It’s inevitable.  Your clothes, your hairstyle, the weather or the newest model phone it seems. And as fun as change is, and I am by no means against it, I also feel sometimes it’s not necessary.  That its done just because we assume we have to, because ‘modern life’.

Take for example history.   I am no history expert that’s for sure and it’s not something I’ve yet got an innate desire to delve into, but we are living in a modern age where we have technology increasing at a rapid rate.   We assume we know everything because its new.  As if we have to change the world from what it was, just because we can now do it bigger and better.

But what does history show us?!  It shows hundreds of years of tradition.  It shows thousands of years of human civilisation.  It shows for example, a monarchy that reigned far before our time, that still reigns and remains a current link to our past that we for some reason are set on destroying here in Australia.  Can you tell I’m anti-republic;) ?

It’s frustrating to me that instead of the constant desire to change history, we don’t instead look back and more strongly use what has been learnt.  What worked, how these huge civilisations made long standing buildings that last the ages or why the traditions that were set years ago are actually still embedded (often unknowingly) into our society.

The online world doesn’t help.  Its where we are constantly looking for something new and the next funny meme or hilarious video – and that is fine, I love a funny cat video don’t get me wrong.  But on a large scale, on a global scale, what will be our legacy.  What will be the one thing in this techno-age that will last?  In a world that is now set on the newest trends and fast dwindling fads and 15 minutes of fame, what lasts?  What is unique?

It’s a reflective time of year let me say.   I have been thinking about what will happen next year and the change that is going to happen in our little slice of the world.  It has got me excited don’t get me wrong, but that’s my immediate space and my change. On a global scale, on a ‘leave a legacy’ scale – how will what we are doing now really matter if we keep changing to look forward without learning from looking backwards? 

So here we go – sitting at the cusp of change.  Where another year ends and a new year begins.  It’s a fun time to reflect.  But it’s got me reflecting differently, more broad than I usually do and I’m okay with that.  In this coming year, I am going to use this to look back on my own history, on my countries history and further, to see how I can change from what’s been taught already.

Where I can learn and move forward, by looking back. 

it’s been a very good year

2014 has been a very good year!    God has been SO so good to me this year!

I didn’t realise this at first, of course I knew it was a good year, but that “good year” is filled with memories and it sometimes takes a moment to remember them all – especially at the end of the year!!!

It wasn’t until someone said to me last week, “you’ve had a great year this year Finley know wonder you have a cold now, you’ve been so busy!” And I thought, oh have I……I guess I have been busy, wow it has been a great year, as this person rattled off some of the things she knew I’d been up to!!!

I could start now and list all the things I’ve done this very year…….but they are just a LIST of things I’ve done.  It doesn’t depict;

– any of the fantastic conversations that were had, or
– the myriad of strangers with lovely smiles that I’ve met,
– to the giggling and silliness from my nieces and nephews,
– sombre quiet moments spent pondering and praying over when our child will come…
– times spent just sitting on a couch, chatting with my family
– for the times when I cried in happiness as I watched my life long friend marry the love of his life!
– seeing how friends have changed and grown and become happier by the day
– quiet moments just laying beside my husband as we watched a movie
– the simple prayers that were answered by people with nothing but only their faith to give while in Cambodia
– seeing people healed from hands being laid upon them while at a church service
– to reading of miracle births and pregnancies from women who had been praying for the blessing of children!
– having all the people I love healthy and with a steady income and jobs…

…all these things and MORE, are the details between the events and the busy-ness which I’ve loved and enjoyed so much this year.

The beautiful moments that you can’t capture with a camera,  you can only hear them in your memories and feel them in your heart!

Its these things that have made my 2014.  It’s these things that have made me say, God – you have been SO good to me this year!  I can’t wait to see what plans await us in 2015!

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