Looking Back
I remember trying t teach my son to drive. He kept looking in the rearview and the side view mirrors – I had to remind him to look ahead. You can’t drive looking backward! I’d say. And, while this was certainly true, I understood his desire to look back. I did the same thing when I was learning. Whether it was because I wanted to see how far I’d come or to prevent any dangers from sneaking up on me from behind – I spent too much time looking back. I’ve also encountered the opposite problem. Someone, usually driving in the fast lane, with a line of cars behind them while cars whiz past on the right, studiously ignoring the rearview mirror. Â Neither is good. And looking back is an important part of taking stock and moving forward.
Taking Stock
You can’t possibly take stock of the situation if you haven’t stopped to take stock. Examining the data, recognizing patterns, identifying pitfalls and successes are all part of taking stock. When I do this, I look back at where I started and line up my goals with where I am now. Being honest about my struggles and what went wrong – or right – helps me avoid future problems and duplicate past successes. That sounds very analytical, and it is… sort of. I don’t have a glass board and printouts – I check back to where I wrote my goals and take stock. Often my husband and I will sit together and talk about what has happened. There have been times where there were so many trials, tribulations, and things gone wrong that we take stock to acknowledge and congratulate ourselves on still standing. That’s important too.
Looking Ahead
We don’t stop there, though – the point is growth. And growth is impossible without looking ahead – without planning. You know the adage: Failure to plan is planning to fail. Sometimes our goals are small, sometimes much larger. Regardless of the size of the goals – writing them down makes them real. And planning to make them happen – makes them achievable. Despite going astray countless times, we have a Good Shepherd who cares enough to go back and look for us, lift us upon his shoulders, and carry us to where we are supposed to be. This 40-Day Challenge has been a blessing to me. I hope it has been a blessing to you as well. Thank you for journeying with me!
CONGRATULATIONS!! DAY 40 of the 40-Day Challenge Reading
Isaiah 53: 6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.