Happy new year, friends!
When I chose to focus on living rescued in 2018, I knew what I thought that meant. Of course, God took things to his own level and interrupted my plans. But he wove that theme into my heart through books, devotions, conversations, podcasts, and everyday life. He knows I need repetition to truly learn and he was faithful to teach me.
I’ll never be an expert on living rescued because I’m too quick to want to make a plan and solve a problem. But I believe God knows who I am in all my first-born, recovering perfectionism ways and won’t give up on using my natural disposition to lead me to him.
I reflected on 2018 and have been anticipating 2019 with my friend Kayse Pratt from Anchored Women. She hosted #reflectandrefresh2018 on Instagram and the prompts were just what my heart needed. Thinking through and documenting those eight posts led me to my word for the year when I didn’t expect to have one. I really assumed God was still working on the RESCUED theme in my life. And he is. But he’s also reminding me of how living rescued leads to faithfulness in all areas.
I want to say yes to the moments that interrupt my plans, to the little voices in my house even when they’re loud and constant, to loving people well even when they’re hard to love, to drinking more water and taking more walks and eating more vegetables; to moments that seem small because they matter in the big picture.
I want to say no to listening to voices that aren’t rooted in the same principles on which Greg and I are building our lives, to defending choices I know are right for our family, to guilt and shame and doubt, and to trying to please people who will never be satisfied.
I want to be faithful in all the small ways in my everyday life as a wife, mom, daughter, sister, friend, and, most importantly, Christ-follower. I want to live believing the small steps have great value in the current season and the ones to come.
Being faithful is about being loyal and steadfast,
true to the original, who is Jesus, the only one
who can and will faithfully rescue and redeem us.
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If you want to see my #reflectandrefresh2018 posts that inspired this word FAITHFULNESS for 2019, here they are:
One thing I’m grateful for in 2018
The best new discovery in 2018
One book that impacted my year
Something that went well in 2018
Something that was a challenge in 2018
One thing I’m saying yes to in 2019
One thing I’m saying no to in 2019
One big dream for 2019
I also shared some highlights, favorite things, books, and TV shows from December, if you want to check out that last post of 2018.
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Happy 2019! I love how you share the things you want to say YES to this year and the things you want to say NO to. I think too often we focus only on the yes, adding things in until we are bursting at the seams and everything spills out in a mess. Saying no is just as important. Even more important, trusting our Rescuer and Redeemer! Happy New Year friend!
I’m all all-or-nothing girl, so sometimes I have to remind myself saying yes & no should both happen. It takes a lot of discernment some days, so I’m glad God is with me in all of that. Happy new year, friend!
Saying YES and saying NO are two sides of the same coin, but we need guidance to do this well, so thanks for your regular encouragement here that comes with the sharing of your own story.
Thanks for that kind comment, Michele! I’m thankful God continues to give me His guidance. Hope your new year is off to a good start!
Kristin, it is so true. Saying “no” is equally as important as our “yes’s” in being faithful to the Lord and to His purposes. Thank you for encouraging me to say “no” a little more in 2019!
I’m glad you could be encouraged here, Joanne! Happy new year, my friend! xo
Saying yes to some things always means saying no to other things. May God give us wisdom to find His perfect balance, the yeses and noes He has for us.
His balance, yes … because I certainly couldn’t balance my own life! 🙂 Happy new year, Barbara!
Being faithful is such a great goal. Knowing that God is the ultimate in being faithful makes it even more motivating! Happy new year, Kristin!
Yes indeed! I’m grateful for the fresh perspective God’s given me to start the year. Happy 2019 to you, Lisa!
“Great is thy faithfulness” That song has been replaying in my head and my heart this week as my Uncle sang it at his dad/my granddad’s funeral on Saturday. God’s faithfulness truly is a gift! Happy New Year friend!
Truly a gift, indeed! Now I’ve got that song in m head, and it’s a perfect message for today. Happy new year to you, Tara!
Oh, yes! I want to say “YES” to the moments that interrupt my plans too. What a great way to begin the new year.
I love the fresh starts of new years, even though I can’t believe how quickly 2018 went by! I’m glad you’re here, Laurie!
Well said! Cheering you on with all the saints. laurensparks.net
Thank you, sweet Lauren!