My 2008 Catch and Release

Happy 2008, G3ers!

I’ve mentioned this before, but the days surrounding January first always put me in a contemplative mood. It’s like it’s a chance to start over—so much possibility ahead! I love the hope and “what if” of a new beginning, don’t you?

This year as I got in my New Year’s groove (my NYG), I took some time to do something a little different to my routine. Instead of spending all my time wishing, planning, and praying about 2008, I took a moment to count down the blessings of old 2007. I thank God for things all the time, but honestly I don’t think I’ve ever reviewed an entire year and made a list of things to be thankful for. But that’s what I did. From the smallest thing (I didn’t lock myself out of my car one time this year! Woo-hoo!) to the biggest (I got to fulfill a dream and see Europe), I did my own 2007 countdown. I highly recommend it. Grab a piece of paper and make that list. What things happened (or didn’t happen) that you need to recall and give praise for?

Along with the positive, you’ll probably dredge up some negative. But fight that temptation! In the NYG, you have to stay positive! Last week at church my pastor said, “On a scale of one to ten, rate yourself in 2007 and write that number down.” Then he said, “Now rate your year—how was 2007 for you? Rate it. And write it down.” So I thought of my number. One of the two wasn’t the most fabulous. And the pastor gave one final instruction. “Now scratch those numbers out until you can’t see them. Because 2007 is over. You start new in 2008. The rest—the old mistakes, the old sin—it doesn’t matter. Don’t let it influence and drag you down this year.” That was a light bulb moment for me.

So have a wonderful ’08. And make a gratitude list of events of the year we just left—but then leave it behind. God wants you to move forward. Christ died for our sins, even the millions I committed with my 2007. But I’m letting that go and moving forward. I don’t want to lose my grip on gratitude, but I’m all about giving him my failures and letting him scratch them out until I can’t see them anymore.

Happy New Year!
Jenny
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