I’ve always loved New Year’s Eve, it’s my favorite holiday though it technically isn’t one. Something about going into the new and leaving the old behind always drew me. While we all know the clock striking midnight and the year changing doesn’t really change anything, it always felt good in some psychological sort of way. As I really tried to figure out what is it about this time of the year that I’ve always loved, I finally did. I’ve always looked forward to the New Year because there has always been so many things I’ve wanted to forget each year. It could have been memories, experiences, people, disappointments, I mean the list goes on and on. I always hoped on New Year’s Eve that the coming year would be different and everything I wanted it to be. The truth is the change in the year doesn’t change your life, your everyday behavior and choices do. I am not saying that 2021 cant be the year that whatever you are waiting on will come to pass, absolutely it can! We must keep believing and declaring always! I am referring to your everyday life, your everyday struggle, the mental battle, I am talking about the re-run of the same episode that you desperately want to stop watching. This blog is to encourage you to make a CHOICE this year to change YOUR choices, so you can have the different, more fruitful and productive year you desperately desire!

I really believe this year put Proverbs 19:21 into perspective, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails” (NIV). None of us chose this, none of us desired this, none of us had this planned. But I asked myself and I ask you the same question, what was the plan in your heart for 2020? What is the plan in your heart for 2021? Can I be super transparent (I think I’m too honest sometimes), I don’t think I would be where I am spiritually and mentally if 2020 went the way I planned. I think I would’ve continued making the bad choices I always did, I think I would’ve still been in situationships, I think I would’ve numbed my pain in rebellion instead of facing it in prayer, I think if 2020 went the way I planned I would be depressed right now hiding it with a mask and fake smile. 2020 forced me to face myself! 2020 forced me to pray! 2020 forced me to preach to myself! 2020 forced me to confront deep rooted and deep seeded pain. I look back at the whole year from start to finish and I wasn’t perfect but I was better. My New Year Resolution is the simplest it has ever been, to be better than I was this year. Making different choices wasn’t easy, cutting off people wasn’t easy, crying out to God in pain and heartache wasn’t easy, dealing with fear and anxiety wasn’t easy, but my God was it WORTH it! The seeds of prayer I planted this year, and the watering of my tears bore fruit. I am ending 2020 content, joyful, motivated, thankful, and free from emotional attachments and toxicity. I am ending 2020 in a healthy mental, emotional, and spiritual place to receive what 2021 has in store.

I don’t know how your 2020 was, I don’t know how it’s ending, and I don’t know how 2021 will be for you. But let me share with you what I do know. If you want a different year, you have the power and ability to do so. But there is nothing easy about it, you have to decide. The goal isn’t to be perfect, it’s to keep going. When you mess up, keep going. When you fall, keep going. When you have a bad week, keep going. When you feel like giving up, keep going. Be kind to yourself and allow space for Grace to fill the gaps of your shortcomings. I know that even when we don’t know what’s to come (good or bad), we know the one who does. Let that be our peace, that the one who loves us more than anyone or anything, the one who is faithful and just, the one who sits on the throne, He knows our tomorrow. He has carried you through this unprecedented year, and He will keep carrying you. I pray 2021 is good to you and that you are good to yourself by choosing different!

With Love,

Kristen ♥

Happy New Year!