I've really enjoyed spending the last few days looking over 2019 and reflecting and praying on what has happened this year. In all, it has been a really good year as I have learnt that my immediate future is based at home - working from here, being available to my children, supporting my husband, volunteering and making sure that I take time to spend with God. Also finding a balance between focusing on getting myself healthier by eating better and exercising, and making sure that my outlook is on other people, so I don't become too self-absorbed.
It's funny as I never pictured myself as a stay-at-home-mum, or even a work-at-home-mum. My future was always firmly mapped out as a very successful career woman. I knew I'd do well, earn a lot of money, have a big detached house and drive a Mercedes. They were all aspirations before I became a Christian and had my whole life turned upside down. Now I earn very little, live in a house that comes with my husbands job, drive a practical car, I share with my husband and I am more fulfilled than I ever dreamt I could be. Life can surprise you!
I saw a lovely post from Rachel Ridler recently, where she shared her praise points for the year and I thought it would be nice to do the same. It is a version of my regular reasons to be cheerful, but the emphasis on making them praise points is so much better, as it does what should be done, it points the praise and the glory for all the wonderful things that happen back to God. He is the one responsible for the successes this year.
So this year, I want to say thank you and praise you Jesus for -
- learning where I really want to be
- finding a wonderful new church
- helping my husband to feel well again
- putting an amazing and challenging community around us to help us grow and develop
- healing a silly rift
- amazing family times
At the end of 2018 I decided to have a guiding mantra for 2019, a phrase that would remind me of what is important and would help me make decisions. The phrase was 'rest in me child' and it is all about knowing God has my back, that He is in control, that I need to stop striving in my own power and that I am His child, so I need His guidance.
I think this phrase was a good guide for 2019; I've spent lots of time in the prayer centre, which is where I go to be quiet and connect with God and I've rejoined a gym and been exercising a couple of times a week.
As I look forward to 2020, I've been wondering what this new year will hold for me and whether I should have a guiding word or phrase for this next year. Lots have come to mind, such as 'playful' which came out of an Enneagram course I did back in November. Apparently when my type become more playful and fun, we become healthier, and I definitely recognise that I am quite serious and lack elements of fun.
Another word that has come to mind in the last couple of weeks is 'hope'. There is hope, for me, for the world, for us all. I need to believe that with hope I can change and be more of the person I want to be, and do more of the things God wants me to do.
I was feeling quite sure that hope was to be my word, and then this morning I felt compelled that the word 'seek' might actually be it. I need to seek the Lord more, to know Him better, to want to spend more time with Him. It is then, I feel sure, that I'll be able to achieve all the things that He wants me to.
So I'm claiming hope as my word for 2020 but I am also going to be seeking more of God
"Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need." Matthew 6:33 NLT
