Promise

Consult not your fears, but your hopes and dreams.

Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfilled potential.

Concern yourself not with what you tried and failed in,

but what is still possible for you to do.

~ Pope John XXIII ~

The New Year brings forth the promise to fulfill all potential leaving behind past disappointments. Pondering the above quote required reflection.  But first, the definition of “promise” by Merriam-Webster:

1a. declaration that one will do or refrain from doing something specified;

1b. a legally binding declaration that gives the person to whom it is made a right to expect or to claim the performance or forbearance of a specific act;

2. reason to expect something – little promise of relief; grounds for expectation of success, improvement, or excellence; and,

3. something that is promised.

Promises can be made with good intention. Promises can be meritless. Promises can be made for self-gratification.  Do not rely on others’ promises to fulfill your own hopes and dreams this New Year.

Fear and self-doubt can be debilitating.  Leave the past in the past.  Look forward. Know that God’s promise is the truest.  It may be hard.  There may be trials and tribulation, but His promise will not be broken.  Neither will yours.

“I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go,

and I will bring you back to this land.

I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

~Genesis 28:15~

Blessings to you and your family this New Year!