If I'm being honest with myself 2018 was just not my year.
I made a lot of mistakes, I missed a lot of opportunities and most things did not go the way I had planned them. In fact I spent the last day of 2018 crying in my car because I was just overwhelmed at how the past year had gone and prayed that this new year would be better. Throughout today though I have tried to reflect on the good. Part of that good was building a closer relationship with God. Through all the failures, trials, and some success I had a lot of conversations with God. Some were just me pouting, some crying for mercy, some frustrated at the world, and some praising him for showing me answers. God showed up and showed out a lot. He forgave a lot, taught a lot and gave many second chances and is still continuing to give me second chances. And for that I'm grateful. With all of that being said I have chosen a word for this year. I've seen this word several times over the past few weeks and I feel as if it fits my goals/resolutions for 2019. FREEDOM. Galatians 5:1 says It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Last year I felt as though I was bound by the world. That I was not truly being myself but yet I yearned so much for people to see me. I was afraid of so many things and couldn't truly let go and let God. This year I plan to let go and be free. I hope to let God control each and every step of this life for his way provides true freedom given by his son. My prayer for you this year is that you will find true freedom in Jesus. That whether 2018 was the worst or the best year that you will embrace 2019 with confidence knowing that God is creating a path for you that is unimaginable. I want to encourage you to write down your goals and resolutions and how you can achieve them. That was important for me. I not only needed to see the goals but needed reasonable ways to conquer them. Post these resolutions or goals where you can see them everyday. Pray about them and give them to God and work a little everyday to do better and forgive yourself when you may fail. He provides new mercies each and everyday. Below I will leave a few verses that speak on freedom. I hope that your 2019 is full of freedom in Christ and that it will be your best year yet!
Much love,
M.A.
Psalm 119:45
Psalm 118:5
Ephesians 3:12
John 8:36