The new year begins as it always does; crisp and new, free from mistakes, full of possibility. Imaginations run wild. Will this be the year? Will we finally make that change? Will we stick with our goals and finally do that thing we have always wanted to do?
As the swirl of lists circulate and goals are set and promises made, I want to encourage you to stop.
Stop and breathe.
Take a moment all for yourself. Find a spot that speaks to your soul. Grab a cup of something delicious and hot. Light a candle. Do whatever you need to carve a bit of space for yourself, anything from waking up a few minutes early or letting the dishes sit in the sink.
Simply allow yourself to stop.
“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.” Psalm 23:1-2
Like wrapping up in a warm quilt on a chilly day, allow God, the Almighty, to wrap you in His arms and encourage your heart with His Word.
Allow Him to speak about His plans for you this year through His Word.
“He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.” Psalm 23:3
Instead of adding a bunch of goals to your list- things you must do, want to do, wish to do, will never do, how about letting something go?
As I read wisdom from older mentors, all the things they encourage us to do as mothers require time. And quite frankly, a lot of it. To be fully present with our families and with God, we have to choose to be intentional.
Breathe out deeply. Let go of those things that are wearing you out and eating up your time {mindlessly, I might add!}, so that you may breathe in the rich life that God has created for you.
Only you know what things you can let go. As you sit with God and His Word, pray over all of your activiites and see what is helping you live deliberately, and what is just sucking the life out of you.
My cup overflows. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:5b-6
As Sally says, we want to be WHOLE hearted mothers, and do that takes intention.
Western culture praises busyness, fast-paced days, frenetic speed, and being an inch deep and a mile wide. Our culture says being busy or looking busy is cool.
I want to offer something counter-cultural.
Choose to become intentional.
It takes time to think, ponder, and build. The Lord works in our hearts slowly, quietly.
Choose to live slow so you can live fully alive where He has you. Beginning new habits of rest, sleep, quiet, reading, making beautiful meals will fill your soul and give you a feeling of satisfaction at the end of the day. On the other hand, checking Facebook one more time, reading all the blog posts in your feed, or tuning out in front of the television for hours feels good in the moment, but leaves you with an empty feeling.
So what is it you need to let go of this year? And what habit to do you need to begin to grow, slowly?
So, go! Sit and take a little break. Ponder your life. And, when you get up, choose to be intentional.
About Joy Forney
Reading this as I go to bed. I love your heart and you. Will take this to heart. Thanks, sweet Joy.
Thank You for the amazing great post. My heart soaks every work of it up.
I always enjoy reading words of hope that my heard needs so desperate
Thank you for this! My word for this year is intentional. Your words this morning encouraged me to keep going this week as its getting harder & harder to stay focused & lean on the grace of God.
This is beautiful! Thank you! This is exactly what my husband and I “preach” all the time…well, except for the candle…in our travel trailer…with seven kids and a dinosaur-sized dog. But the rest, you know.
You are a blessing to many, Joy. Truly.
This is so good and just what I needed. — To start the new year prayerfully and with intention, allowing the Lord to guide my priorities. Thank you Joy!
Amen! Thank you for the encouragement! I needed the reminder
I have been wanting less technology in my life. Reading this post has given me that extra push I needed. I can’t wait to finally enjoy reading again and spending more time with Him.
This year I am really trying to be intentional about not rushing through the time I have with my children to get to something else. This is something I’ve struggled with, and I hate the feeling I get when they’ve gone to bed and I know that I wasn’t really “there” with them. I want them to remember looking at them, not at my iPad.
Anna, you sound like I feel. I get so busy doing other things that I forget to stop and enjoy my kids. I feel so guilty at times.
I too have struggled with this, and once they’re asleep then I say darn- I should have stopped by ______ (fill in the blank) and just played that board game with my child, or read that extra book, helped her paint etc. That is my goal for the year as well.
Beautifully written, thank you for sharing your heart. ~Alexis on behalf of everyone at A Moment with MOM
Indeed, being intentional is key. I enjoyed your post and agree that letting go is often the best thing we can do. Blessings
What a great post! It has made me slow down and think, and find rest in Jesus; despite all the busyness going on around. Thank you Joy!
This is sound advice. How this is playing out in my life this year is taking a break from some of the blogs I was reading, taking a break from Facebook, simplifying our homeschooling schedule down to the basics, and really focusing on making Sunday a day of rest and family.
It is so amazing how God works! I was thinking of all the resolutions I was making and God spoke to my heart and told me to be intentional and things I want to change will and then I read this. God must really want me to get this point.
Just the reminder I needed right now!
This is just what my heart needed to hear.
Especially what you said about choosing to live slow so you can live fully alive where he has you.
Thank you!