A fresh annointing.... 2014

Is it just me, or did 2013 fly by WAAAAY fast. Like seriously. It gets faster every year.

So everyone does this thing at the start of every year where you come up with goals you want to meet by the end of the year, tasks you want to accomplish, places you want to be, books you want to have read, etc. The last few years, I have been only half way successful, because I have set goals that are so traditional and not specific to my life. Like "read the bible more." Okay, how much is "more"? That is a great goal, but for me, I need specifics. More could just mean one day more than the year before, and that would not be what I had intended. Or "Be nicer to people." I need specifics. Connections to my life personally where I can set small goals, and fulfill them according to how the Lord's will for my life plays out. So here are mine this year.

1. Spend time in the Word DAILY. Not like a pressured "Ugh I have to read today" but even just a few minutes before I run out the door, putting on my armor of God and asking Him to show me people to love. This is so very difficult for me a lot because I find "better things to do" but I know being able to passionately pursue Christ and learning more about who He is comes from this!
(Psalm 119:9-11)


2. Begin taking the lies that Satan attacks me with in my self-confidence and turning them into beautiful reminders of the princess that Christ calls me!


3. RUN WITH MY WHOLE HEART. Be able to run a 10K by June and a half marathon by December...... Scary thought.


4. Instead of spending all my time on the internet, netflix, or being social spend time talking to Jesus. I love love love being with my running encouragers, my "twin", all my KT sisters, my friends from home, etc. Which is wonderful because they encourage me in Christ. But how much would my life change if I longed to spend time with my Savior just as much? Probably a lot.


5. Quit biting my nails. They are soooo much prettier long, and I don't want to be an adult still doing a childish thing I have done my whole life.


6. Learn more words to use instead of using my two favorites all the time, precious and lovely. There is a whole dictionary word of them you know. Reading is a good way to do that!


7. Grow in a deeper relationship with my family. Regardless of any mending that needs to be done, our God is so able. He is the ultimate Healer, and His mercies are so new every morning!


8. Learn patience. Try not to always want the best parking spot, prayers answered immediately, or things done right when I want them. Slow down, enjoy life's slow moments and don't be lazy about it! Ask to see through His eyes. Jesus had to carry His own solid, wooden cross all the way up to His place of crucifixion and didn't complain....what can I say to that? (Romans 12:12)


9. Love people more openly, not just being able to say "I love you" over text or social media. As great as that is too, Truly show them LOVE through actions. And not just the easy ones to love, what about the hard ones? There is no reward in that. (Luke 6:27-36)


10. I have already been blessed this year who is able to constantly pour into my heart, and I want to find someone who I too can pour myself out to. Christ has done so much to keep it all bottled up! Have a Paul and a Timothy! (Proverbs 27:17)


11. Be able to willingly tithe because I know my money is not my money. I don't have to be stressed about it! (Malachi 3:8-10)


12. The money and time I do have to spend, use a large portion of it on others. Use it to bless people in need that God puts in my path that do not have. Even though I think sometimes I am just flat broke, and as college students we usually are, there are always people I can pour blessing on. Invest time in people, learn about what Christ has done in them, or how you can encourage them.


13. Commit daily to prayers for my parents, for God to do unexplainable things in their marriage. For the rock of our family to become Christ. Even now it is so hard to understand or believe, but again. Our God is so able to accomplish what we ask of Him, and will teach us so much through it only to glorify Himself. (Ephesians 5)


Okay, so those are it. Now I realize they're not all going to happen perfectly everyday, and I understand that. Actually, none of them are happen if it is in my strength, because I really don't take well to change. But I do know of Someone who is much bigger than me and shows so much grace to me despite my being so undeserving, and He will help push me. Plus, now that I have encouragement and accountability, I know I will have all I can have.

Stay tuned to find out how it is going, and what the Lord is choosing to do this year. As I write this, this sweet reminder just came... Remember, we are not promised even another day, so don't put off things until tomorrow that Christ is calling you to do TODAY. He wants to do a work in us!