The new year

I’m really great at planning. And thinking wonderful things up in my head and going over them time and time again. 

So the thought of writing a “plan” for my new year is exciting. Really exciting. As can be seen from my actually taking the time to sit down and think through the writing process to get this down.

New anything sends adrenaline through my veins. Staying in one place, physically and seasons of life, tires me. I itch for a change often. I am always reading and searching for new ideas to try, new ways of doing the same old thing. Bigger, better. Older, wiser ways.

So I have a few ideas for this brand spankin’ new year ahead of my family and I:

As I’ve said a million times over. I want to simplify. My mind, my thinking, my house. My things. Our stuff. 

When we got married (a short two years and 9 months ago) we didn’t have too many things. Then we bought a house. And I had whole house to fill. And Scott had a garage beckoning to him. And then we had a baby. And another baby. And those guys keep on grown’ and accumulating and BAM! we have a house full of stuff that we don’t really need.

So I want to cut back. On everything. There’s already a big ol’ box of toys on the porch ready for the Salvation Army.

Less TV. More music. 

We had about three channels when I was growing up. Back in the day. When we walked to school uphill both ways, ya know. But I’m so glad because I learned to love to read and love to hear the words in a song and think. TV is so mind numbing, which is welcoming sometimes (maybe all too often), but it’s an unnecessary evil no matter how much I want to think it isn’t. I love TV. I don’t want my boys to.

Love on my husband. 

Because he’s the best guy I know and my partner through all of this. Because it’s easy to put him on the back burner when I have just sat down from filling the 17 millionth water bottle of the day. But we have a duty and responsibility to our babies for only so many years until they are gone and living their own life. Scott and I are in this for many, many years after.

But most of all, I want to

remember

every

single

day

that it’s in the million little things. 

Not the big dramatic resolution to get my body back or eat better or spend more time listening than talking.

The thousand times a day that Jack can really push my buttons.

When I’m in James’ room putting him to bed for the fifth time.

When Scott asks for food 10 minutes after the dishes are done and I’ve sat down.

Read or turn on the TV.

Put the laundry away or put it in the back of my mind.

Yell or calmly relax and explain.

“In these unremarkable moments, He is working to rescue you from you and transform you into His likeness.

By sovereign grace,

He places you in daily,

little moments

that are designed to take you beyond your character,

wisdom,

and grace

so that you will seek the help and hope that can only be found in Him.

In a lifelong process of change, He is undoing you and rebuilding you again.”

(link here)

And then God answered: “Write this. Write what you see. Write it out in big block letters so that it can be read on the sun. This vision-message is a witness pointing to what’s coming. It aches for the coming – it can hardly wait! And it doesn’t lie. If it seems slow in coming, wait. It’s on its way. It will come right on time.”

Habakkuk 2:2-3

Happy new year, all. May you think on all your blessings and thank Him. May you start over fresh or continue on your path. Ring it in with cheer.