2020 - Resolutions

 Well, it is May and I am just realizing that I never posted this post and never even finished it for that matter! Here is how far I got with it...

I couldn't decide what to do about New Year's Resolutions this year. I really wanted to make some, but last year I seemed to not complete very many of them. I am the type of person who, if I make a goal, I want to complete it. I don't want to fail.

So I wrote down many things for this year...

But I think I need to scale it back a bit. If you read my post on my word for 2020, you will know our family has a lot going on in 2020.

I read a blog post from Money Saving Mom that inspired me to do monthly goals. So I think I will be trying some of those this year and breaking my goals down a bit.

At this point, it seems silly to go back and try to rehash what my goals are/were for the year. What I will say is God is working in my life. If you read my post about my word for the year, you will know it was peace. You will also know that peace is not the word I wanted. I wanted something like vision or focus. It is 2020 after all! But God gave me the word peace and I felt no option in it! And I am so thankful for, not only the word, but for the true sense of peace I have felt in the midst of all that is going on in the world.

As always, God knows best! Peace is just what I needed this year. I recently shared all of this with some friends and one of them said something along the lines of "God gave you a vision of peace for this year." I couldn't agree more. My focus for the year is peace. Peace in the midst of a pandemic. True peace that comes from God.

So this post that was supposed to be all about my goals and resolutions for the year is simply about peace, about looking for God and how He is still working, about going where He leads.

Yes, I still have goals, plans, and things I resolve to do. But right now, my plan, as it should always be, is to let God lead. To let this be my reset. To see what God's priorities are for my life.

Go in God's peace.

My prayer and hope in the midst of the pandemic

My prayer is that through all of this, we don’t lose relationships: lose our relationship with Christ and lose our relationships with our family and friends. 

Social media has become so divisive. People are unsure of truth and falsehoods. What are the facts? We question those closest to us about whether what they are doing, saying, and posting is the right thing. 

I, personally, have no idea what is fact and what is fiction (or conspiracies). I will freely admit that I probably lean towards some of the conspiracies. I have read so much and honestly, it is downright overwhelming at times. 

I believe personal conviction is important. I believe that God works in each one of our lives. I also believe that God’s Word is true and I can depend on His Word every. single. day. In the midst of lies and falsehoods and even in the uncertainty, I know I can lean on God and He will give me peace. He has, in fact, given me so much peace through this whole pandemic. 

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:7‬ ‭ESV‬‬

When I think of the division that the pandemic and people’s reactions and government’s reactions are causing, that does bring some fear. I have no desire to lose relationships over this. My desire is to read and listen to both sides of the argument. And when it is overwhelming, turn it off. I don’t want to live in fear. 

“for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭1:7‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Let’s live in God’s power. Let’s show Jesus’ love to others. And let’s demonstrate self-control before we post or say something that may hurt someone else. 

I am not trying to be preachy or to hurt anyone in what I am writing. Instead, I hope to draw you back to God’s Word as your ultimate truth. In the midst of so much unknown, God is still here. He is still constant. He does not change. His character is always the same. 

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭13:8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

I don't have all the answers. I do not have even most of the answers. But I know God is in control. I know He knows all and has all the answers. I know He is not surprised by any of this.

My encouragement to you is to keep the faith, to not let all of what is happening in the world get you down. Remember, Jesus has already overcome.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” 

John 16:33

May you find your strength in God. May you find your hope in Him. Look to Him. Trust Him above all else. Love your neighbors, your friends, and your family.

Love Jesus.

I saw this posted on Facebook and it inspired a lot of these thoughts.