I wonder how many people go into the new year without goals, without the want to be better for themselves or somebody else around them. My guess is very few to absolutely nobody. I think it is natural in our American ways to want to make more money, spend less time at work, while getting a better job or make a career change. Spend more time with family. Embrace friendships. Read more. Go back to school. Spend less money. Save. Pay off debt. Buy a new car. A new house. Go on a vacation. To the lake. To the beach. To the mountains. To Europe. Be a better friend. Better coworker. Better girlfriend. Better mother. Better wife. Better sister. Better Jesus-loving Christian who actually wakes up early every morning to have quiet time, reading those two devotionals that are dusty on the bookshelf. And read the Bible. And go to the gym. Every morning. Before work…
Phew. I’m exhausted already.
I think that goals are good. Goals with grace are tons better.
Last year, at this exact time, I set really really high goals. Like read 52 books in 52 weeks when it typically takes me three months to get through a half of one these days. Week one and I was already behind. I beat myself up. I wore myself out with blogging and goal setting and just everything. However, before April arrived, I became restless to do something more again. I struggled with it through May and started the process of relaunching my blog. And boy, has it been a blessing! In the past six months, I have been diving deep into blogs that allow God’s light to shine… because it is all about him in the end… and using hb fotographie as a way to tell God’s story that He has woven into my life. The story that matters the most.
And although I have planned and sketched and laid out my 2015 for you and me, I know that my “plans” are not always God’s plans. And that is completely okay and I find excitement and joy in this. I do know that God has given me the same desires as last year, to grow into a more loving, God-shining individual.
With this, my goals are to weave my monthly Goals with Grace with personal commandments, areas of growth. I heard once that it takes 21 days to form a new habit into your life. Although many of my personal commandments are not things that require new habits, although some do, I think that 30 days of something, of one focused area, will help me grow and ensure that 2015 is a year of intention for the Kingdom.
A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. :: Proverbs 16:9
I haven’t planned out everything, because I know that the Lord will provide for me areas of growth along the way that I cannot even dream of now. I have done some planning, with supplement reading and things I want to work through with you, but please… two things :: (1) pray for me and my writing. That it showcases God’s glory and almighty power throughout my year. That I am not distract by the world, by Pinterest, by the other media, etc. And (2) please, please, please let me know if you want to work through something with me. Something little. Something big. Something that is on your heart. Whatever. My hopes and desires for this blog is to spread the love of Jesus with you, with me, and with others. Whatever I can do, or work through with you that will help that — I’m sure it is where we are suppose to be.
So here’s to a hopeful, exciting 2015 year. I personally cannot wait.
photo credit :: they all hate us
