Every January, I feel a little relieved. The holidays are over, life slows down (well, kind of) and I can breathe again. It’s time to start a new year and work on new goals. A new year with new goals means reflection on the old and praying for the new.
I love it.
First, I have to get my planner. Not just any planner. No, no, no. My planner has to be cute. Fun. Fit in my purse. I need to pick that thing up, bend it, squeeze it and determine if it can hold all my dreams for the year. Plans and dreams and goals. They’re exciting!
So, those plans and goals? For 30 years, I’ve had the same two pop up again and again. Can you guess? Yep – save money and lose weight. The holy grail, right?! If only there was a magic formula or a genie in a bottle or anything at all that would do that for me. Side note, I’m typing this as I just finished Cheetos and a yummy cupcake, right after a trip to TJ Maxx (hey, it was only $36 today…). At least I resisted another Rae Dunn piece – well, today I did, not yesterday, though. WHATEVER. At least the good Lord made stretchy pants and I am pretty sure I can pull these off for my work wardrobe, too. Yoga pants are more like cupcake pants anyway, right?!
Grace, girls, grace!
So, for me, January is the month I have to focus on showing myself grace!
Here’s what January has meant for me:
Instead of focusing on…
Failed weight loss and financial goals, the newest and cutest fabulous finds at my favorite stores, disappointments, comparison…
Focus on…
Making healthier choices today, contentment with what I already have, loving people more, starting my day with Jesus, g.r.a.c.e.
I hope you can see 2019 as a grace filled year! Forget where you’ve failed or what you haven’t accomplished and focus on what you’ve already been given – grace! God’s grace really is a gift given to each one of us. It’s not what you do or don’t do; it’s what Jesus already did!
“But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works – otherwise grace would no longer be grace.” Romans 11:6
By the way, I do believe that there will be Cheetos and cupcakes in heaven!
Happy New Year!