After watching the Rose Parade on New Year’s Day, I decided to spend some time with my journal. It’s always been a good practice for me to evaluate the past year and think about what I want to do with my life in the next 12 months.
Along with my journal, I grabbed my Bible and flipped to a Psalm I’ve been studying. Within that sacred text, I found a verse to meditate on – which also gave me some ideas for 2016.
Psalm 31:23 “Oh love the Lord, all you His saints! The Lord preserves the faithful….”
When I focused on the word “preserves” I thought about sand plum jelly we made on the farm and the hours we spent canning tomatoes and green beans. Those wonderful Mason jars provided us with fresh food throughout the winter months and also preserved memories of cooking with Mom in the farm kitchen.
But some of the ideas for my new year came directly from the word “preserve.” How might God preserve me in 2016? What does it mean to be “preserved?”
- Fresh. Being fresh and refreshed so that I can feel energized for the writing and ministries I do. As preserved foods always taste fresh, I need to make sure I rest well, take care of myself holistically and exercise to preserve my strength.
- Useable. One reason we canned vegetables was so we could eat them during the months when the garden was frozen. I want to be useable during this new year, available to serve God and help others, writing my best words ever, speaking and coaching and being.
- Available at any time. All it took was a trip to the cellar to bring up the Mason jars. When God speaks to me or when people need me to help them, when words well up within my spirit and need to be written down – right then – I want to be available. No questions. No doubts. No hesitation.
- Safe. Our foods were preserved so well, we never suffered from botulism, e coli or any type of toxins. I want the people I serve to feel safe around me. I want my readers to know that when they pick up my books, they won’t have to wonder what type of topics I’ll write about. Even if I have to stretch some comfort zones, I want readers to know that I strive for truth – which creates a type of safety.
- No Expiration Date. Our sand plum jellies lasted for years and were always edible. All we had to do was skim off the wax on top, then spread that golden orange lusciousness on top of warm bread, fresh from the oven. Although I reached one of those “special” age limits this year, I haven’t reached my expiration yet. I’m still working, serving and praying. I’m still writing and hope to continue – with no retirement in sight and no expiration date warning me to slow down.
So I’m grateful God promises to preserve me, because I want to remain faithful to his calling for me. And I want 2016 to be my best year ever, writing the words he speaks to me – then sharing them with you.
©2016 RJ Thesman – Author of the Reverend G books http://amzn.to/1rXlCyh
Image Attribution: SXC – Freepik.com
Yum…Suddenly I’m hungry for buttered toast with jelly. I also feel like I’ve had a spiritual meal. Thanks for sharing your New Year thoughts with us.,
Yep! Sand plum jelly is the best – especially when you pick them yourselves and make the jelly in a farm kitchen!
Your post reminded me that I haven’t thoroughly thought through all the facets of my word for the year. Re: sand hill plum jelly, you have much better memories of it than I do. I always thought it was hardly worth all the effort it took to make it. Still, I definitely enjoyed your analogies–spot on!
Thanks, SuZan. Although I loved sand plum jelly, it was probably the homemade bread that made it extra special.
Wow, RJ! Loved this post … such a great spiritual application!
Thanks, Amy – so glad you dropped by!