In Others' Words: Doors

"When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one that has opened for us."
 ~ Alexander Graham Bell, inventor

One thing is certain, you can't look forward and backward at the same time. It's physically impossible.

I confess, there have been times when my life was in forward motion and I wasted precious emotional energy looking back at what was, instead of focusing on what lay ahead.

Don't get me wrong--reminiscing is a wonderful thing. I treasure the times when my kiddos sit around the table and share "Remember when" stories.

But when I won't let go of what was to embrace the here and now, I'm trading the possibilities of the future for the can't-go-back-and-change-it past. 


I like the reminder in these verses from Isaiah 43: 18-19:

 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? 

I am making a way in the wilderness 

   and streams in the wasteland. 

In Your Words: Have you ever found yourself looking back over your shoulder at what was? How did you fix your focus on the future--on what could be?

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