As we begin to reflect on the past year and look forward to the year ahead, it makes me think of a blank canvas in front of an artist. It’s our decision on how we apply colors, and textures, and what we ultimately create.
This year as new year’s resolutions are made, I reflect on the last year. 2022 was filled with health issues, grief, and some of the best memories I’ve made. I faced struggles but I learned new things. I learned to paddleboard, learned how to take certain pictures with my camera, grew in my faith, and started sharing my writing all because of the good Lord. I’ve had my vulnerabilities out there and that’s been hard. The inner dialogue there is, “ I just have to trust Him!” He never left me when I was melting down over my writing or when I was laying in a hospital bed. He was with me.
Each year instead of making resolutions I have started to choose a word or verse to live my year around. This past year it was Psalm 118:24, “this is the day that the Lord has made let us rejoice and be glad in it” (NLT). This coming year I feel God laying on my heart, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take (Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT).”
I’m looking forward to the year ahead. I pray for the hurting and sick, for the less fortunate, and for the lost. Lord help me to be kinder than necessary and to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry, yet help me to be quick in forgiving. The world is harsh enough without me piling on. May we be the light in this dark world.
What are you planning to do this coming year?
What are your goals or words to live by?
Let me know in the comments below.
