I don’t know about you but I’m glad to see 2016 fade into
the distance. I’m facing the coming year with a renewed sense of God’s presence
and I’m at peace with much in my life, though a work in progress for sure. He
has been faithful to bring healing to broken places I’ve carried since
childhood.
I don’t normally make resolutions, but sometimes pick a word
for the year. As I was looking at the books I received for Christmas, a theme
emerged, one of rest, renewal, and reduction. My reading journal for the past
year reflected books centered around these topics as well.
When I speak of rest, I’m not only referring to the Sunday
afternoon kind of rest. I want to live an unhurried kind of lifestyle that
allows me to find rest in God for my every need. I want to know complete peace
when I lay my head on the pillow, no tossing and turning from carrying my own
burdens. Jesus offers rest down by the water and I plan to take Him up on His
offer.
I love pretty things. I love decorating my home, making it
cozy and comfortable. Going through counseling over the last few years, I’ve
learned a lot about myself. I have a difficult time letting go of things. It’s
deeply rooted in childhood trauma. I’m not a hoarder, but I could be. My family
of origin was too neat and practical.
My solution is I don’t buy much. I’m learning how to reduce clutter so I can
live a more productive life. More things equals more time to manage all those things and less for real living...reading a good book out on your back porch, or taking a walk. Going out to dinner with family or friends, or strolling through an antique store at your leisure.
Every turn of the calendar on December 31st gives
an opportunity for renewal, that day we begin again, reset goals, thought
processes, inner voices, however you choose to name it. If you’re blessed and
breathing, you get a do-over.
Scripture speaks a lot of renewal. It begins in the mind. Aligning my thoughts with His thoughts will begin the renewal process. I’m asking
God to renew my mind through His Spirit. He says if I ask and seek Him, I will
find Him. In His presence I find peace, because He is Peace, and He will never lead me in the wrong direction.
There’s a fourth “R” after Rest, Reduce, Renewal…well kind
of…Writing. I want to write about my progress in each of these
areas. Writing helps keep me on track. I don’t know how I’m doing until I’ve
processed it through the written word. My thoughts are a swirly mess in my brain until I journal what I'm thinking. When I write, it either sounds silly and I discard the thought, or it makes perfect sense and I explore how I can weave it into the fabric of my everyday life.
What are your plans for 2017? Do you choose a word, make
resolutions, or set goals for yourself?
How do you sort through your dreams and goals for your life? Do you journal like me, or do you need to talk it out with another person?
I’d love to hear your thoughts.
