Happy New Year readers! What a year 2024 has been for me and my family. We welcomed a beautiful baby girl into the world, and I became a full-time stay-at-home mom. Lots of changes and new beginnings. For the year 2025 I have decided to focus on a single word for the year. I was inspired by DaySpring’s article I read awhile back. They have an online quiz designed to help you decide what area of spiritual growth to focus on for the year. I love this idea because unlike New Year’s resolutions this feels more attainable and like a gradual process since it is a goal for the entire year. If you would like to read more about this idea, then follow this link to read DaySpring’s article and click here for the 2025 quiz.
I took the quiz earlier this month and my word for the year is “surrender.” I honestly could not think of a better word to focus on in the new year. The idea of letting go and giving it all over to God is something I struggle with. I like to be in control and stick with the plan I have laid out. This past year has been a year of change and growth, all good, but all with its own set of learning curves. And there was no manual for this new phase w are in. I am someone who needs time to adjust to change and anything new. I must process it, think it over, maybe think it over too much. I have a challenging time asking for help and allowing others to step in. And when you have a little human who does not understand how wonderful schedules are (sarcastic laugh) talk about throwing me a curveball. Which is why my word for this year is so on point.
When my daughter got sick for the first time, thankfully just allergies, I was scared and so paranoid. Sure, she ate and played and smiled like her normal, happy self. But her voice and the congestion all are her sound so pitiful. It scared me that her breathing was affected, and I wanted to listen and hear every little breath she took to make sure she was okay. I know, spoken like a first-time mom, but to someone with postpartum anxiety struggles, this only amplified them. I wanted to do everything I could to take her little sniffles all away. She could not tell me how she felt, so we just had to do everything we knew to do to help relieve her symptoms. I had to let that be enough and be confident in that fact. I had to trust God that she would get better and sound like herself very soon. And she has!
Why is it so hard to turn over our lives to the One who created the universe from nothing? We have example after example in the Bible of His goodness, sacrifice, mercy, and kindness to all people.
“Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them. For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. Some sat in darkness and deepest gloom, imprisoned in iron chains of misery. They rebelled against the words of God, scorning the counsel of the Most High. That is why he broke them with hard labor; they fell, and no one was there to help them. “Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He led them from the darkness and deepest gloom; he snapped their chains. Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them. For he broke down their prison gates of bronze; he cut apart their bars of iron.”
Psalms 107:8-16 NLT
And as much as this thought scares and terrifies me, I am learning, ever so slowly, that everything will be more than okay because of the One who does have control over me. I just need to let Him. I invite you to do the same. Your heart and mind be stronger and filled with peace when you do.
