The Open Window!
I love seeing blue skies and green surrounds. However ... I've always kept the curtains of my little den closed. It's because the glare when I open my windows, affects my computer screen. During my beloved's Christmas break, we were informed that our power supply would be cut one day for maintenance procedures! We knew it would be the right day to go to the movies. After all, holidays need to be savoured! And so we did. A few hours later, we returned home after laughing our way through a delightful movie and treating ourselves to a scrumptious mid day meal. Unfortunately, our power cut was still in progress.
That afternoon, I drew my curtains back so I'd get some light into my den. What a lovely surprise to find that the afternoon light didn't affect my screen after all. How I relished that open window! Shan commented how good it looked when he walked by. It's a new season, I thought. It's my Season of the Open Window. A time to let the world in. A time to look outwards. A time for new beginnings!
Here are some possible ways of doing life in my Season of the Open Window!
- Be ready to see my world with fresh eyes
- Be willing to change whenever change is required
- Let go of any bad habits of the past
- Welcome the world in
- Welcome others into my world
- Open my eyes afresh to the beauty of creation
- Be filled with awe and wonder at my awesome mighty spectacular God
- Be open to new ideas, new habits, new ways of doing and being
- Welcome more of the Holy Spirit and the work of Jesus into my life
- Partner with the Father and do whatever He asks me to do
The truth is that we often forge habits during one season, but what works that season might well be detrimental in the next. During the last 8 years, I have faced many battles which made me cling to Jesus with all my might and that was a good thing. But the problem is, that in battle one can go into defensive mode. Perhaps it's time to be on the offensive instead! Know what I mean? A closed window might keep the enemy out, but the open window will welcome God's goodness in.
The start of a New Year is a great time to take stock of the old. The best time to find new ways of doing life. Are there any habits or attitudes that we need drop and discard into the bin of the past? Are there new ways of looking at life that will work better in 2025? Are there grudges or resentments to let go of, like pebbles in a shoe that must be shaken out? Are there troubling thoughts that took up too much space in your mind that could be replaced … like having a refreshing cold shower that washes off the grime and bleakness of a difficult day. Are there new spiritual practices that would be good to begin, like putting on a silky new garment in place of a tattered old piece of clothing?
A New Year has dawned. Its first month is already over! But … eleven more are at our disposal! Let's do life better this year. It's our Season of the Open Window. Come by my window Dear One and you will receive a bright smile and a warm welcome! Let us enjoy more of Jesus, more of the Holy Spirit, less of our sins, mistakes and foibles. It is a New Day. I pull back my curtains and the light of Jesus floods my den. The beauty of His creation beckons me. Birds swoop and sing. A soft white cloud ambles by in an azure blue sky as specks of sunshine dance on my window sill. His joy breaks in through my Open Window!
Come! Let us be bold! Let's create new Adventures in 2025. It is a New Day!
"See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone.
Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come."
Song of songs 2:11-12
