7 Winning Habits For The New Year.
It’s the new year. Your mind is reeling with all that needs to get done. Who will put a healthy meal on the table? Do the laundry? Pay for your youngest child’s braces?
Responsibilities weigh heavily on you and your spouse. We all have full days and a heavy work load.
Retirees have empty nests. But, still the same pressures if not more of caring for aging parents, supporting adult children and living on limited incomes, while dealing with health issues.
A friend and I shared dinner at a lovely restaurant for a treat this Christmas. We sat for hours catching up with one another about family and work news.
By the end of our conversation we felt understood, covered in prayer, comforted and encouraged.
Encourage means to inspire with courage. Or, paraphrased it is to strengthen one’s heart.
Jesus wants to encourage us as we face the challenges in our new year. He wants to be our best friend.
One of the greatest ways we can start the new year well is to recognize Jesus is our best friend, confidante, peace, rest, strength, and strategy maker.
Here are 7 practical steps in walking this out. We’re all uniquely created in the image of God. Feel free to use these ideas as you see fit in your life.
In the morning don’t hit the snooze button. Get up and spend time recharging in the word. I ask what he would want me to do for the day. You’d be surprised how effortlessly your day will go. Sometimes, he wants you to rest. Write down what you’re reading and hearing from the Lord in a journal. If you oversleep don’t worry! God has you covered.
Find some time to stretch or exercise before hitting the ground running (metaphorically). You’ll begin with a sense of purpose and have a sharper mind after deep breaths and meditating on the good news.
Before you feed your family, eat something with nutritional value. Like eggs, fruit or grain. Whatever gives you energy. We’re all different. I cut out a lot of grain because my body needs more protein then most. I also walk or run 2 miles a day. So I find fruit, eggs or a green smoothie gets me started right. I know, I know it’s counter intuitive to eat before them instead of eating with them or grabbing a protein bar. Genesis
Do the hard things first. Whatever task you’ve been avoiding. Do that. The rest of your schedule will go easier if you do. I tend to get my writing work done in the morning. Then I can focus on the next item.
Take time to enjoy creating. I don’t care if it’s singing, playing a musical instrument, drawing, baking, writing or reading. Like our heavenly father, we’re all creative beings. If this ‘productivity rules’ world taught you it’s selfish or a waste of time I disagree. In my opinion, creating is using our talents for God’s glory and brings us the greatest joy.
When obstacles come, and they will, pray first. I hit my stride last year with a wedding, a book launch and caring for elderly parents. Looking back on my lists of things to do I can hardly believe what God accomplished. I’m convinced that he loves to see us overcome the hurdles life throws in our way. Right before my book launch my marketing coach apologized telling me she had a bigger job to do and would no longer work with me. That one let down could have taken me out. Instead I heard the Lord say, “I will teach you.” And I watched my wonderful family, friends and colleagues take over marketing my book in amazing ways.
Friends, one of the best resources we have and rarely use is to run to the heart of the Father. At the end of your day, no matter how big or small take your cares to the Lord and leave them there.
I want to encourage you. Whatever your dreams are they matter to God. It’s his pleasure to plant the seed, vision, spark and birth them through you. But I think that’s another blogpost for another day.
Hope and pray you and your wonderful family have a blessed New Year!
“The wonder and beauty of creativity stems from the Creator who gives it to us. When we approach the people and circumstances of life confident in who God created us specifically to be, we usher breathtaking beauty and perspective into this world.” Jennifer Gerelds, Waking Up to Grace.
