One of my favorite decorations in my home is a collection of old picture frames that hang on the wall at random throughout the house. Each frame houses a different quote or lyric that I have come to enjoy; some of them significant, some of them just simple pleasures. They are displayed on the wall without context, just the words, no author credited. The words are there to encourage, inspire, or remind as needed for whoever the viewer happens to be.
Here are 5 quotes that I came to enjoy in 2021 and hope continue be an encouragement and inspiration for 2022. They are wildly unrelated, they are in no particular order.
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”
This quote is widely attributed to Winston Churchill; however, there is little to no evidence that he actually spoke or wrote it. It is certainly the kind of ‘never give in!’ type quote that would be fitting for Churchill to utter; but for the sake of historical accuracy we shall be content to just ponder the words themselves. Whether the past year was one of great success or one of great failure, may we press forward with great courage!
“At sunrise, everything is luminous but not clear”
Norman Mclean
Taken from one of my favorite books ‘A River Runs Through It’, this quote so aptly describes the hope of a sunrise. A slow light growing on the horizon, gradually giving light to the day in store. Every day a new start, every day an opportunity for eager expectation.
“Shaking like its cold and no one’s there to take your hand
The Goo Goo Dolls ‘Over and Over‘
I will give you mine and shiver ‘till you’re warm again”
Perhaps one of my favorite musical lyrics, this is one that hangs in a frame at my house. Sometimes life is hard. If it is not currently hard for you, it is hard for someone else. These lyrics are bittersweet but are an encouragement to be kind, to be a light in the darkness, and above all a reminder to be ready to be a beacon of Hope for a hurting world around us.
Mortals, join the mighty chorus,
Henry Van Dyke
Which the morning stars began;
God’s own love is reigning o’er us,
Joining people hand in hand.
Ever singing, march we onward,
Victors in the midst of strife;
Joyful music leads us sunward
In the triumph song of life.
Is there a more hopeful or more inspirational lyric in all the world than this? Beethoven’s 9th Symphony is a powerful vessel for these timeless words. If these words are not yet true for you then please let me know and I would love to share a great Hope with you.
“You have been bought, and at a price!”
Elisabeth Elliot
Convicting words for any follower of Jesus. In a world that fights for our attention daily, this truth must be remembered. May we not take lightly the great consequence of our sin nor the great love our Savior; may this propel us towards goodness and joy and purpose and hope!
May your year end in celebration with friends and family; thankful for what has passed and hopeful for what is yet to come.
