As we approach the end of another cycle, a goodbye to another year, what do you see as you look back? Can you stop and reflect for a moment where you were and what you were thinking a year ago? Did you have big resolutions? Were you able to check all the boxes you had planned to? No worries if you didn't have a big list or any list at all. Sometimes it is a little intimidating to hear and see people around us with so many things in mind - lose weight or get fit is usually at the top, maybe read more books, dedicate more time to family or find time to exercise. Some people plan big trips, some plan to just do simple fun things with their loved ones. The beauty of each of us being unique creatures with unique desires is that you get to choose what you want to do.
But do you?
Maybe you are surrounded by loud noises and influences that take you to dream about things that may never come to existence. Maybe, just maybe, you are looking at others, people you have never met, as you forget to look at yourself and your loved ones. Maybe, just maybe what you and I need this time is to look at what we have and be present. Ground ourselves for a moment, get outside and feel the grass on the soles of our feet, let the sun sink into our skin, feel the warmth and the life it brings. Look at nature and allow ourselves to feel all the things around us: birds chirping, the breeze moving leaves. Say a prayer, talk to our Creator.
In our time and our generation, we moms are bombarded with things to do and checkboxes from our society and our culture.
There are so many things we have to do in order to be accepted, to be part of the group, to do what everyone else does. But have you ever asked God what He would want YOU to do? What plans does He have for you and your family? What if it is something different? What if you are not supposed to fit into certain things. My fellow mom, you have a purpose and God has work to do in your life and the life of your family. He gave you this life and the circumstances you have so you can look for Him and get to know Him. Many times it isn't the situation you wished for, but if we look at Christ and what He did for us at the cross, everything else falls into place.
How many times we as moms have to lay down our lives for our children and our husbands? How many times do we have to delay gratification and think of others before we think of ourselves? Are we following the example of the One who gave His life away for humanity? This one hits hard for me sometimes. In our sinful nature it is so easy to think "me, me, me". It's hard to sacrifice. But let's take a moment to read John 15:1-17:
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another.
Maybe this wasn't exactly what you were looking for in a post about end of year reflections and new year resolutions. But what if our number one resolution for 2024 would be to abide in Him? To keep laying our lives down for our families, to have fullness of joy in Jesus? He is The One who can provide for our every need. Yes, resolutions are important and can absolutely have an impact on our lives. Plan for fun things, do your diligent work to be healthier both physically and spiritually. But remember that without HIM, we'll lack true joy. Without HIM, we won't bear fruit. So I invite you to join me in pursuing God as our first new year goal, and abide in Him as we enter another season.