It’s January 21st. So technically we are already well in to 2019. Side note: every year when I type up that new digit I think…how did we get so far from the 90’s??! On the outside I’m getting permanent creases in my forehead and more and more removed from all things “relevant.” But inside I promise you, I still think it’s 1998 or 2006.
Look. I’m already getting off topic.
Every year I tend to get swept away in resolutions and big ideas for the upcoming year. As a chronic learner and curious kitten, it’s very easy to do. Then, come December, I’m disappointed at the things I didn’t do. And somehow instead of welcoming a new year by patting myself on the back for another year well spent, I end up battling the lies of you-didn’t-accomplish-anything-and-you-are-totally-unsuccessful.
A couple years ago a friend told me she views January as a grace period. And that realllly appealed to me.
She explained that instead of putting pressure on herself to get it all together on January 1st, the whole month is a grace period. A time to get back to “normal” after the holiday rush. A time to give a few resolutions a trial run–no shame in returning them if they aren’t working out. For her it’s a month of getting a few things figured out and not being harsh with herself for things that happened or didn’t happen the previous year.
I liked that idea, but as a type A, super hard on myself type…it was hard to grasp on to.
But here I sit. January 21 and I’ve finally done it. I’ve eased into the new year with a little more kindness toward myself than in the past. And I’m looking toward 2019 with new motivation.
I think grace is a good place to start the year. Grace is so hard to understand and so hard to accept–whether offered from God, ourselves or someone else. Life so often teaches us that we only have what we have earned. And that our identity is defined by what we accomplish, what we do, outward acts. But sometimes we don’t accomplish much (in out own opinion or in the opinion of others), we don’t do much, and our acts fall short. Sometimes we don’t measure up. Sometimes we mess up.
It is so dangerous to hinge our identity on these fallible things. If the outward things don’t line up–our identity is lost as well.
That’s a mistake I’ve made in Januaries past. Setting my sights on goals and dreams that ride on my own works (along with luck and circumstances.) Then, if things don’t shake out…I feel like a failure.
Grace is giving someone something freely. Not because they’v earned it, or worked for it. It’s actually the opposite. Often with grace the recipient has not even come close to earning it. Instead it’s free. Totally free. Favor unearned.
This year, I’ve got a few simple goals. And my main objective (especially for this month) is to extend grace. Both to myself and those around me.
There is a reason so many of Paul’s letters to early churches open with “…Grace and Peace to you…”
When we can grasp hold of grace–especially the grace of God–knowing that His intentions toward us are kind, because of His love–not because of anything we’ve done–we can then truly have peace.
Grace and peace.
It’s still something I’m working on.
Here’s to a year of grace. Will you join me?
And if you are wondering. Here are my simplified resolutions.
- Extend grace.
- Add more intentionality throughout my day.
- Find a routine that works for me at this season of life. (A routine that includes the Bible, writing, exercising and time with Derek and Giddy.)
- Be stronger in December 2019 than I was in 2018 (this won’t be hard since right now I’m at an all time physical weak point)
- Get a few things on my website cleaned up.
- Pick up a little before I leave the house and before I go to bed.
What are you hoping 2019 will bring?
