I usually look forward to the start of a new year. I take time to reflect on the past year and set new goals for the new year. But this year, I just felt blah.
I experienced a major setback a few years ago. I left a city I loved and had to move back in with my parents at age 30. I went from a great career to cleaning houses a couple hours a week. Needless to say – life didn’t look anything like I had planned. It’s been over two years and life still doesn’t look how I thought it would. This is part of the reason I was feeling blah about the new year.
Then I got to thinking.
At this time last year, I didn’t have a job. Now, I have a job I enjoy that offers flexibility so I can spend time with my son. That kind of flexibility was something I didn’t think was possible, and it’s better than I could have imagined. At this time last year, I was living with my family. Now, I have a place to call home.
It was easy to forget how far I’d come and how much had changed in a year. I didn’t hold any of the progress I had made in high regard. Instead, I was focusing on all the ways I still wasn’t back up to the level I was before. And it was very discouraging.
A family friend came to visit a couple weeks ago. She has been prayer partners with my Mom for many years. The two of them have prayed over me, Gideon, and our futures. When this friend heard about all of the progress I had made over the last year, she burst into tears. She exclaimed, “This is an answer to our prayers!”
Her reaction reset my mindset. All of that progress from last year was answers to prayers. I needed to stop feeling sorry for myself because I wasn’t where I wanted to be and instead be grateful for the journey. This change in my mindset has me looking forward to this year.
Life doesn’t usually follow the timeline we make for ourselves. I’ve experienced how much can change in a year – both good and bad. This year, I’m surrendering my timeline to God. I’m going to regard each answer to prayer along the way no matter how big or small. I’m excited to be able to look back on this time in 365 days and see how God answered my prayers. I’m sure there will be some unexpected things in there and I’m all for it.
Love,
Redeemed Mama
This is my song for 2022. Excited to see what this next year brings.
Make Room by Community Music