Rear View Mirror Driving

It might seem weird, but our day-to-day lives can perhaps be compared with that of driving a vehicle. I was driving with my Mom shortly after I got my DL, and a car behind me was just getting way too close for comfort. I don’t even like to be followed almost bumper to bumper in town when we’re going 25 MPH, but out in the country (at approximately 55-60 MPH), I was feeling really cramped for space. Trying to remember to just keep my eyes on the road ahead, I avoided looking into my rear view mirror every few seconds. When the guy finally passed me, I couldn’t help but think of how many times, in my Christian walk, that I kept my eyes glued to the past. I kept looking into that "rear view mirror". Reminiscing on those past mistakes that I've made that sneak up behind me. Those negative memories haunting me, demanding my attention to the point that I don’t focus on what is before me: the Spiritual road. 

If I keep looking into the rear view mirror, I could end up in a ditch or run into another vehicle.  As is in my spiritual walk with Christ, looking back, regretting things, and taking my eyes off of the One Whom I should be looking to, I could seriously hurt myself and others by making more wrong choices. I’ve heard many pastors give this comparison before; but as is with many other things, those words don’t “sink in” until we experience those scenarios and really think about what those messages mean.  

I believe it’s ok to look back at the past sometimes, because then we remember where we've come from and how it's brought us to where we are today. However, I also believe that looking back is something to be careful about. Glancing can be good; but staring draws our attention away from Christ and His perfect plan for us. We will never get fulfillment by looking into the “mirrors” that remind us of our failures; but we can find satisfaction if we keep our eyes on Christ, remembering that He has a perfect plan that we need to be looking towards.

We have already faced many obstacles before. With Christ, we will keep looking straight ahead, because that’s what will keep us on the path that He has laid out for each of His children.

Hebrews 12:2 “..looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Blessings,
Anna

Determination

                       "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might;

                         for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom,
                         in the grave, whither thou goest." ~Ecclesiastes 9:10


I actually wrote this blog post in 2013 on the other blog that I once co-authored. But I thought it was worth a re-share for everyone who needs an encouragement to keep doing what they're doing.


"Charles F. Kettering, a noted scientist and inventor, believed that the easiest way to overcome defeat was simply to ignore completely the possibility of failure and to keep forging ahead. He once gave an address to Denison University on this theme. He told how he had once given a tough project assignment to a young research worker in a laboratory at General Motors. He wanted to see how the man would react to a difficult problem so he kept from him notes about the project that had been filed in the lab's library. These notes, written by expert researchers, included various sets of statistics and formulas that proved the assignment the young man had been given was impossible to do.

The young research worker set his mind to the project, and worked virtually night and day for weeks. He refused to give up or think the project impossible. One day he came confidently to Kettering to show his work. He had succeeded in doing the impossible!

A little extra time...a little extra effort...a little extra care...a little extra attention sometimes makes all the difference between success and failure, and not only that, but the difference between good and great."

                                                         ~~~

"There once was a Louisville University quarterback who dreamed of playing pro football. Upon graduation, however, no pro team drafted him. So, he wrote to several teams and finally got an opportunity to try out for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He gave his best effort, but wasn't chosen. His friends said, 'You got a raw deal...it wasn't meant to be...I guess it's time to hang up your cleats'. But the young athlete didn't give up. He continued to knock on doors and write letters. Finally, he received another invitation. But again, he didn't make the team.

Most people would have given up long before this point, but not Johnny. He was fanatic about his personal dream. From his early days of playing sandlot football, he had been obsessed with this goal. So, patiently and persistently, he continued to pursue try out opportunities. Finally, he was invited to try out for the Baltimore team...and he made the third string! Through training and many long hours of drills and fitness building, he worked his way up to be starting quarterback. Indeed, he became one of the greatest quarterbacks ever to play in the NFL. The dreamer's name? Johnny Unitas.

Keep driving until you arrive at your goal line!"

                                                        ~~~

History is filled with determined people. The 1984 USA All-Around champion, Mary Lou Retton, is another example. She was in therapy constantly for five weeks leading up to the '84 Olympics after a much needed knee surgery had been preformed. That year, she came home with one gold, two silver, and two bronze medals. With her determination and positive attitude, she not only succeeded what seemed "impossible", she also became the first American to receive an All-Around gold medal. I admire Mary Lou for that determination. Not only for her fighting spirit, but because she was also born with hip dysplasia and still went on to perform amazing acts of agility and balance.

Can you maybe think of some people in history who, though the thought of success seemed impossible, achieved it? Those are the kind of people who are not willing to give up their dreams. They have a vision and chase after it instead of expecting it to just be laid on their doorstep.

"Some people succeed because they are destined to, but most people succeed because they are determined to."

Phillipians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

In Christ,
Anna

Never Forget...

In memory of that tragic day in 2001, I wanted to do a small blog post in honor of those who died and of those families who were left in devastation after the horrible attack on our nation. The words that will probably come into your head when you hear the date "September 11" is probably something like "Never forget" or "United We Stand". How can we possibly forget that awful terrorist act that devastated this nation thirteen years ago today? May this part of history never repeat itself.

   Let us not allow the past to frighten us to submit to evil. Let not history repeat itself. Let this be a reminder of how ready we must be for possible future attacks. Remember the past and never forget; but let us not live in the past. We need to look to the future and protect our country from invaders and terrorists today.