A new year! A blank page!

That can be daunting in many ways. The uncertain future in front of us. The regrets behind us. The present that’s not full of the reality we had imagined a year earlier. Thankfully our experience can also be one of exuberant excitement for what has been and what will be. Wherever you land on the scale of emotions, it is okay. We have come this far (deep breath) and Jesus is worthy of our praise for His faithfulness.

And let me for a moment encourage those that had a year with one battle after another, that is myself included! 🙋🏼 Let us not anticipate the same for the new year. Something new will take place! A new chapter is about to be written! The bible speaks about us going from grace to grace and from strength to strength. That means that even if the righteous falls seven times, we get back up again, having weathered the storm and we come back standing tall to continue, all by God’s grace.

This year my husband and I celebrated New Years at my parent’s farm just the two of us. It was intimate and special as we normally celebrate the new year with friends around us. Both is amazing in different ways. But to be just the two of us was the right decision for us this year, and it gave us a freedom to shape the evening in the way we needed. We did three things on New Years Eve and it’s not too late for you to do the same…

If your New years Eve felt like a flop, or you just simply haven’t had the time yet to position your heart for the new year, here are some easy actions to take that are a great set-up for a new year.

Start the new year…  

1) On your knees

Why? Because it is simple and powerful. It is the posture of surrender, humility and yielding to Him who holds the new year in His hands and knows all that awaits us in the future. When we bow low, it reminds us of the bigness of the One we are serving.

Because we were just the two of us, we had the personal space to kneel together before the clock turned 00:00. Other New Years Eves’ I’ve done it in the bathroom if it’s crowded and inappropriate to do it right where you are – whatever works. I never leave a moment of bowing before the King of Kings without encountering His peaceful presence and a new sense of awe of who I belong to.

Then we jumped into 1st of January having the television going with the countdown on while worship was going on. It was a beautiful moment positioning our hearts in worship and expectancy for the new about to appear.

New Years Eve might be over but to be positioned on our knees is something we are free to do 24/7.

2) Releasing the year that was

For me, I do this with a dream guide that goes through spiritual, relational, personal, and work areas and ask: What were your favorite moments in 2017? Where did you see growth? What changes can you make? What does it look like to be intentional in 2018?

Check it out here: http://www.jennieallen.com/2018-dream-guide/

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3) With a written statement

This year, my husband and I jumped into the year with a written a statement in our hands that declared what we believe will frame our year. It was a statement that spoke to us as we sat down to plan the year ahead. We will be carrying that statement in our spirits as we make decisions and move towards some dreams in ’18. What could your word or sentence be to jumpstart you and continue you focused on God’s next for you? It’s never about pacing but all about a grace word that carries you forward in motion. Choose a word that moves your heart and feet towards your envisioned future.

In ending, remember, 2018 will be shaped by your prayer life so let’s get our prayer on!  A new year and new opportunities do not mean graduating from the daily disciplines that make up a beautiful, surrendered life.

I am praying God’s steadfast (immovable, resolutely or dutifully firm and unwavering, loyal, faithful, committed, devoted, dedicated, dependable, reliable, true, constant) grace over your every step in 2018.

It is a year of harvest and fruition. Whatever has been lost in 2017, will be restored. He will continually birth new things in you and surprise you this new year, I totally believe!

All my love,
Sandra.

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