New Year… Same Me!
I didn’t make a resolution. I didn’t set a new goal. I boycotted it all. And maybe you should too.
My husband and I like to joke on January 1st. When we do something out of the ordinary we say, “New year. New Me.” But this year it’s, “New Year. Same me, but smarter and wiser.”
Like many of my friends, it was a Merry Flu-mas for us. 3/5 of us had the flu this Christmas. I haven’t had the flu in about 20 years. I truly don’t get sick at all…. Not much keeps me in bed. But this flu was something. The poor kiddos had it worse, and the littlest one had a very tough time with it.
Needless to say, Christmas was low key for us. No one really wanted to be around us 🤣 and I don’t blame them one bit! I probably approached this New Year a little more apathetic and a tad more groggy than normal, but I think it’s what our family needed.
By this time, I usually have a new planner, 16 new goals, and action plan to get there. I do enjoy casting a vision and planning for the future. But this year…. I just didn’t. I learned a few lessons in 2023 and I know it will help shape how I make decisions and plans moving forward. I’m choosing to reflect on the lessons learned in preparation for 2024. Maybe this will help you:
You can make the plans, but the Lord establishes your steps. I have been guilty of making plans and not leaving room for God to work it out in His way and His time. And then I get super frustrated when MY plan has been derailed … because (HELLO) I am not in control. This almost always is a direct result of my impatience of God’s timing. I’m so worried that I’m going to miss out on something or just reach a point in my life where dreams and goals are “too late”. This year God has forced me to wait on Him. He has taught me that He knows best and it doesn’t always rely on me. He has a plan and I just need to trust it, follow the Holy Spirit, and when in doubt…. pray. It’s honestly a much less exhausting way to live.
Follow the peace not what’s shiny. There were several opportunities put in my path this year that seemed perfect. I just knew God had lined it all up for me. But after praying on it and seeking wise counsel, I realized it was just a shiny distraction. Several of those opportunities would have checked off goals I made for myself in 2023, but God’s peace just wasn’t there. I learned that sometimes saying “No” can honor God. I could have said, “Yes!”, and I bet it would have been just fine… maybe even exciting! But if I hadn’t followed God’s peace, I have no doubt I would have spent time on something that either wasn’t meant for me or was stealing time and attention from something much more Kingdom effective. And most times the most Kingdom effective thing is the least shiny. It’s often the work that no one saw or even knew you did. I’ve learned that living in peace is freeing and the fruit is joy.
Consistency is key… always. This one is simple. Do you want a better prayer life? Pray often and consistently. Find a time each day you can commit to it. If you fail, pick up the next day and try again. There will be days you forget. There will be days you don’t even want to, but if you’re consistent you will see the fruit. Apply consistency to anything you want to accomplish and watch God honor your work.
In 2024, I’m not adding more tasks and goals. I’m choosing to reflect on the lessons God taught me and how to carry them with me so that this year is the most Spirit-filled and God-lead year yet! I am praying that for you too!
