How to Start 2022 with God at Your Center.
Reflect.
The new year is here which leads us to all reflect on this past year and decide what our “resolutions” are for 2022.
2020/21 – Probably could have been better, right?
Believe it or not, something good came from this year, because “we know that God works all things together for good.” // Romans 8:28
Contemplate and give thanks for the positive. Recognize and purge the negative.
Plan.
You’ve reflected on the positives and negatives of this past year, purging the bad and celebrating the good. Now to PLAN for the coming year.
Our resolutions typically fall on exercising more, eating clean, our finances, or fixing up our house. These are all great things — but have we really honed into who God created us to be?
Rather than focusing on the outward, maybe we can focus inward.
▪️What do you want to stop? ▪️
It could be a grudge you’re holding, yelling at your kids, holding resentment, comparing your life to others.
▪️What do you want to continue?▪️
Maybe you want to continue the slowness of 2020 or participate in more things that give you true happiness. You could bridge the support you’ve given to others during this difficult year into the new year.
▪️What do you want to start?▪️
Maybe it is reading God’s word, being more present in the moment, or simplifying your life. I strongly recommend Grace Not Perfection by Emily Ley to help focus on the important things in life by simplifying and offering yourself grace. Grace Not Perfection comes with a version for young girls! Get it here!
Ask and listen to our Lord for what he wants for our future — we can encourage our daughters to do the same. God speaks to us so often through his Word, I have never felt so connected to Jesus until I started reading The One Year New Testament for Busy Moms.
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Purify.
Now to execute the plan.
Eliminate the negative thoughts – fear, jealousy, resentment, and anger. Recognize your thoughts and why they are there.
Clear out your distractions to allow yourself the time to accomplish your plan. These distractions could be binging TV, social media feeds, and mindless browsing on our phones. Limiting screentime is a good place to start because it sucks away our precious time. This could be something you implement as a family- creating more quality time together rather than being GLUED to our phones/ screens.
Let us focus on the silent moments with God with prayer, reading his word, and continuing the joy and worship the advent season brings.
“Lord, purify our hearts.
Help us fixate on who we are as women, as mothers, and Your daughters.”