Yo, Adrian...
I did it
Yo, Adrian...
We did it
Either answer is correct - Rocky (no number in the title) released in 1976 - I was a freshman in high school. That first movie introduced us to a small-time endearing boxer who was eventually "chosen" to fight the world champion, Apollo Creed. In case you are wondering, it wasn't until Rocky II that those famous words were first uttered, "Yo, Adrian, I did it!" She was at home with their new baby, so in an overwhelmingly emotional scene, Rocky raised his newly acquired World Champion belt, screaming those words directly to Adrian.
So, fast forward through Rocky III, Rocky IV, Rocky V... all the way to 2006... 30 years after the original movie. Rocky Balboa, in his late fifties, stepped back into the ring. Adrian had passed away, and this movie ends after the fight concluded in a split decision win for the opponent. Rocky visited Adrian's grave reminiscing that he couldn't have done any of it without her... then before he walked away, he almost whispered... "Yo, Adrian, WE did it."
Okay, so you get it, we are big Rocky fans... we grew up with him, we introduced our children to him.... Clay left the latest movie, Creed, saying it was life-changing! :) So much nostalgia - so many references to earlier movies... chronicles of Rocky's life. We lived forty years with him. (Yes, I do realize he is a fictitious character...well...) So we move on.
And 2015 comes to a close tomorrow, and immediately 2016 rolls right in - not much time between to prepare or plan.
In my recent reflection of 2015 I have literally written down each month of the year - all 12 of them. I spent some time thinking through events, memories, joys, challenges, sadness, excitement... Some of those moments sparked laughter while some sparked tears - tears of sadness and tears of exhilaration. I would have never imagined all that has happened in our lives in just the past 364 days. Paul gives me a simple reality as I reflect from 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17,
"Rejoice always,
pray continually,
give thanks in all circumstances,
for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
That simple reality changes everything setting ALL "things" in the perspective of the fact that I am a child of God... I am a sister in, and because of, Christ Jesus. Not one moment of 2015 came to pass except through the filter of my Heavenly Father.
2016 will be here in hours. Can I challenge you to take just a few minutes to look back before you look ahead? Thank God for His faithfulness in the days that you clearly saw and even felt it, and then thank Him for His faithfulness in the day that you didn't. His promises are true, and He is trustworthy.
When you do begin to look ahead, would you take a few more minutes to read, really read, Ephesians 6:10-17. Paul begins by encouraging us to be strong IN THE LORD and His mighty power. (Not our own) Then he walks us through the putting on of God's armor. I can attest to the fact that I need that armor... everyday - even on the days I feel that it too heavy to even pick up and begin the preparation for the day. After I just read again about each piece and the purpose of each, I am simply thankful - God continues to provide, doesn't He?
As we look ahead to 2016, join Paul and me as we add Ephesians 6:18 to our goals, plans, and resolutions...
"And
PRAY
in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people..."
Yo... Adrian... we are going to do it!! And thankfully, we never have to do it alone!
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