Words to Grow On

January 2, 2006

Freda Larsson

World President of Women’s Ministries

The Salvation Army

Dear Friends,

A few months ago my sister and I had the rare opportunity of meeting up with a group of our cousins, most of whom were a few years older than us.  We had a wonderful time reminiscing about our childhood and youth when we used to meet more frequently.  Before we realised it however,  we found we were getting very nostalgic for the ‘good old days’ and began to make unfavourable comparisons and say that things were not as they used to be in our day. Fortunately we soon laughed at ourselves for being so negative and became much more positive as we reflected on the wonderful new things we were enjoying in this modern world.

As I thought about this afterwards I was reminded of one writer who said ‘The past should be a springboard and not a hammock’.

Have you ever tried to sit in a hammock – swinging gently between two trees?  I have – and it was most relaxing and enjoyable once I had mastered the art of staying on it and not falling off with the movement. A hammock is designed to make one totally relaxed and settled with a good book and a long, cool drink. It’s a place for thinking of pleasant things - even to the extent of drifting off to sleep.

A springboard on the other hand is invigorating, though a bit scary.  When I was young I spent ages standing on the edge of the board trying to pluck up the courage to bounce on the board to gain height and then jump into the refreshing waters of the swimming pool. I was so proud of myself once I had done this that I wanted to go back and do it over and over again.  I must confess though that it is a long time since I have tried anything quite like that.

The onset of a new year should be a springboard to new opportunities - a time to try something new and to look forward with eager anticipation, expecting it to be wonderful and exhilarating.

This year will mark the beginning of a very new experience for me as I will be entering retirement at the beginning of April. I have loved my years of active service for the Lord but don’t intend to just sit back, relax and reflect on the past however thrilling and rewarding it has been.  I am excited at the prospect of once again picking up the hobbies I have not had time for, spending more time with my family, trying out new recipes as well as attempting new things and maybe taking up some course of studies.  Not least will be the joy of having more time to spend in deepening my spiritual life and in prayer.

I am mindful of God’s word to his people through the prophet Isaiah when he said:

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.

See, I am doing a new thing!

Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?

(Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV)

I invite you to join me in jumping out of the relaxing hammock of nostalgia and bouncing on to the springboard of faith for the coming year so that you don’t miss any of the new things God has in store for you.

God bless you!

With warmest greetings,