It is usually at the end of a year that everyone begins to reflect on how the last twelve months treated us and the decisions we made or the memories we have. People used to make new year's resolutions, but when that became too mainstream we just saw short posts and pictures captions championing the phrase "New Year, new me!". Well, I've got something to say. I don't believe in your new year's resolutions and on January 21st, 2018 I am going to wake up the same me as the one that went to bed on December 31st, 2017. Something 2017 taught me was how to fall on my face or scrape my knees and get back up. It taught me that I need God and His love and mercy just as much on my greatest day as I did on my worst. No, I don't believe the start of the new year will bring about some new, previously undiscovered me, but I do know that every day is a new day. There were moments this year that I went to bed one night dreading the start of the next day and then I would wake up and be reminded of something beautiful: I am not alone and every day I awake it is by the grace of God breathing His purpose, however unknown it may be, into my lungs and beating His love through my heart.
How about as we move forward with 2018 we remember that even though every day will not seem wonderful and we will often fail to measure up to those pesky expectations for what every moment of our lives should be, we can start over any time we want. I'm certainly not saying you shouldn't set goals or look forward to the future. I have a very exciting year ahead and am praying for big things to happen in my life and the world. What I mean is really that I hope no matter where the start of 2018 finds you, you know two things. First, even when your plans do not work out and the things around you seem to fall apart or your prayers aren't being answered the way you hope, He is still good. Second, even when you fail yourself, whether it's a goal you haven't yet seemed to reach or you make a colossal mistake, you too are still good. Just breathe and remember, it doesn't take a new year to better yourself, but some patience and self love will go a long way. We have a new chance every day so we should take them as they come, one day at a time.
PS: "I couldn't earn it. I don't deserve it. Still, You give Yourself away. Oh, the overwhelming, never ending, reckless love of God."
(Current fave song: Reckless Love X Corey Asbury