Well, here we are. A brand new year! And for many of us, a brand new start – or at least a reset. I don’t do New Year’s Resolutions – they are a recipe for heartache and disappointment as you end December with regrets, and begin January with too-high hopes, which fizzle out somewhere around mid-March (those long, cold, dark winter days do a number on motivation!).
For the past few years now, instead of going the resolution route, I’ve chosen one word to be my theme for the year. The funny thing is, I ALWAYS forget about it beforehand, and then as I see people with their #OneWord365 posts I’ve been reminded to think and pray on it. Then when I think I’m going in one direction, God suddenly reveals to me a completely different word than I had originally thought. And bam, you have my #OneWord365:
Steadfast. How appropriate that the very first reading of this week in my Bible study includes this very verse?
2 Peter 1:5-8
For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with STEADFASTNESS, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. If these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective and unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We have been through quite a lot in this past year, and the Lord has shown himself to be faithful as we have been faithful to seek Him and trust Him. I don’t doubt that He is in control, that He is always working for our good and a goal we may not have in mind or understand.
Yet I struggle, a lot, with remaining steadfast. Not just in things related to my spiritual walk with the Lord, but also with personal desires and goals. I tend to lose steam incredibly quickly with anything I start, and I’m tired of it.
I KNOW I need to pray for resilience, for focus, and the desire to remain steadfast. I KNOW I need accountability, and that having someone rooting for me, encouraging me, kicking me in the rear when I need it and dragging/kicking me out of/into bed makes all the difference.
This year, I have some pretty lofty goals (including training for and running a half marathon!) which I know can only be accomplished with these tools and the reminder to remain steadfast.
So what’s going to be different this year over every other year? Honestly, I’m not sure :D For one thing, I’m bringing in some more people to keep me accountable in a few areas. The only other way is by prayer, because the Lord knows in my own strength I am so very weak!
1. Bible study
Inductive study through books of the Bible (a how to get started post is coming up soon!). The goal is at least 4 times a week.
2. Reading through the Bible in a year
The Man has been doing this since last January. I started, and didn’t make it more than 6 weeks (surprise, surprise!). This year, I said I wasn’t going to tackle it. Then a couple friends asked me to do it with them. Then I told The Man and he challenged me to do it. Well, guess what I’m doing now :D #SheReadsTruth365 (Join us? Get the daily Bible reading schedule here!)
3. Training for a spring half-marathon
This involves some pretty serious focus, getting to bed early, getting up when I need to, and sticking with a good exercise program (which I typically last about 5 or 6 weeks on, sigh). My friend and I are planning on 3 – 4 runs a week (it’s winter y’all, and it’s cold, though there’s not much snow, so this could be interesting) with exercise / cross training on the off days.
4. Printing and planning book / unit studies BEFORE the week begins
I tend to scramble Monday mornings to find printables and activities to go with our book of the week (or two) and that leaves me frazzled, annoyed, and behind schedule before we’ve even started. No more! With the help of the kids, and The Man, I’ll be doing the research and printing during Saturday night hockey game watching ;0)
5. Stick to my hours for social media
I’m TERRIBLE for being on my phone during the day while the kids are around, and not just for looking up recipes and such. You know, the “Let me just jump online to look for something for a second…oh wait…Facebook….!!!” disease. Uh huh, that’s me, to a T! The Man and I are making a rule that there are no phones allowed between 6 and bedtime, and my rule is no Facebook/Instagram between when the kids get up and lunch/Miss E’s nap time. All y’all, if you see me on during those times, you have my request and permission to reprimand me ;0)
6. Blogging goals
My goal is still to post about 3 times a week. How that’s accomplished remains to be seen. I typically spend time writing in the mornings and would like to book off one night a week to write / research as well. I’m trying to stick to my niche (which is really just lifestyle, so hey, everything’s fair play!) and also what my readers are most interested in hearing about. Here’s kind of what things may look like over the coming months:
Mondays – Homeschool / General Life
Tuesdays / Wednesdays – Recipes
Thursdays – matters of the heart
Fridays / Saturdays – continuing my Fair Trade #Purchasesthatmakeadifference focus
Happy New Year to you! Have you set any goals or chosen a word to be the theme for your year?
