During this quiet holiday in Arizona, I’ve been reading posts about the words friends have chosen for 2022. Although I didn’t really seek one, a word came to me the other night when sleep became difficult.
Strength. Ah, this will do. Whatever lies ahead, we’ll need various kinds of strength–energy, mental stamina, physical skill, and emotional steadiness. This, we can count on.
As usual, Lance is taking all sorts of elk and deer photos here, and this one seemed perfect for this post. This little fellow looks a bit like us right now as we await what the new year brings.
Dubious, hopeful, contemplative, puzzled . . . hesitant and frightened. Dare he trust the guy standing on our deck to snap this shot?
Nearly eighty years ago, soldiers in the horrific Battle of the Bulge surely experienced such emotions. We can’t even begin to imagine what they endured or the level of their terror–would the war ever end?
In times like the present, it behooves us to consider other times that required strength and endurance. Still, we may feel somewhat the same. Dare we trust?
Recently, a Ralph W. Emerson quote struck me as appropriate for this season.
“Be not the slave of your own past–plunge into the sublime seas, dive deep, and swim far, so you shall come back with self-respect, with new power, with an advanced experience, that shall explain and overlook the old.”
Another one of his writings applies, too. “All I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for all I have not seen.”
All that history teaches us, and all we have seen in 2021, instructs us that God’s promise to “be with us in trouble” (Psalm 91:15) stands firm. In spite of expecting more “trouble” ahead, we plunge onward, dive deep, and trust.
Strength- good word for the year.
Emmerson’s quote is timely as well.
Happy New Year!
He has some great ones–he’s an author I’d like to meet.
Just what we need for the new year. Thank you, Gail.
Thanks for stopping, Tracy. May 2022 bless you!
Strength is the perfect word, Gail, as we face unknowns and trials in the New Year. Loved those quotes, too!
Blessings!
Sigh…aren’t quotes wonderful?!?!
Very appropriate, Gail. I used to, in times of stress, had my own mantra: Courage (must have to move on), Strength, Wisdom, and Love. I lost track of my mantra, but your message reminds me to trust and “swim far”.
Those four work great together! Here’s to all of them for the new year.
Lovely post to begin the NewYear with.
Thank you–no falls, no broken bones for you in 2022!! (:
Thanks, Gail, for such a lovely post. Strength is a good word for facing what the New Year brings. Having spent time with my two grandsons this past week, I saw great optimism and resiliency in them. At 11 and 8, they’ve had their first vaccination and look forward to seeing their friends back at school. I keep thinking of Edith, one of the characters from Book four, set in the Depression era, who assures her family, “Better days are coming.” I hope so!
Grandchildren embody the word HOPE!! So glad you got to be w/them and that 2021 gave me opportunity to know you better, Cherie. Keep writing!
I hope you don’t mind me borrowing your word, “strength”—something I can use in all the ways you mention for 2022. Love the quotes as well. Will have to add to my virtual sticky notes in my PC. Happy 2022 to you and Lance. Tell him I love his little deer photo, expectantly looking into the way ahead!
Leslie Smith
Surely don’t mind. I’ll let Lance know about the photo–I thought it fit this time of year perfectly. You take care.
There are so many lessons from history that would make our lives so much easier if we would only listen. It seems from the beginning of time, we keep repeating and re-learning the same hard lessons. Perhaps this is part of man’s curse, that each subsequent generation will fail to learn from their forefathers. God’s blessings in the New Year my friends.
Perhaps like some of your more recalcitrant bulls? (: Yet God doesn’t give up on us–that’s what amazes me!