Moms are notoriously brilliant at caring for others, but when we get tapped out, we often try to dig our own wells instead of drinking from the stream God has provided. But this is going to be a year where we practice receiving. It means drinking from the stream in the desert, eating the manna provided, accepting help when needed, saying yes to Jesus' sacrifice for us, and trusting in God's power. This is the year of letting go of the belief that we must manage every detail and over-analyze every decision. Instead, we will be open to trusting that God will provide at the moment we most need it.

Jesus frequently asked people, "What do you want me to do for you?". It's a complicated question, right? When was the last time you thought about what you REALLY want deep in your soul? When you don't have clarity, it's easy to live untethered – to have a life ordered and prioritized by others telling you what you should want. Is it possible that with all the choices available to us, we have lost focus and are chasing a thousand different ways of doing life because we have no idea what we really want and need? Does your life align with your values? This year, we will get clear about what we want for our families and make room to receive the new rhythms, habits, and opportunities God offers. This is the year of trusting God to guide our decisions, calm our anxious searching and free us from believing it's all up to us.

“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” MARK 10:51, NIV

We live in a time where we are constantly bombarded with words, which cheapens
them and makes us forget just how powerful they truly are. A kind word spoken at the right moment is life-altering. A home filled with encouragement instead of yelling and criticism is medicine to the soul. Our kids are listening, and the words we speak over them will shape who they are becoming. Words change the atmosphere; they impact our biology, and they can bless and curse. This year let’s reclaim the power of our words by choosing kindness.

Speaking kindly isn’t only about how we communicate with others but also how
we talk to ourselves. The voice inside our heads can often be the harshest critic, saying things far crueler than any enemy ever could. True kindness must extend both outward and inward in equal measure. Let’s release ourselves from harsh self-criticism and step into the truth of who God says we are: beloved and worthy. When we accept God’s kindness, it overflows, enabling us to extend the same gentleness to those around us.

In order to build endurance, we are going to:
Get outside __________.
our house.
our routine.
our fears.
our head.
our circumstances.
our control.

Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. ROMANS 5:3-5

Jesus often called people to defy logic—to stretch out a withered hand, dip in the water seven times or cast nets on the other side—which shows us that our effort matters. Take a risk, learn a new skill and dare to grow. Our action speaks louder than frustration. This year, posture your life around expectation and allow God to stretch your faith. Trust him with the wildest dreams of your heart. As Christine Caine says, “Don’t be afraid to ask your Father for anything.” Dare to do something new. Remember God’s pattern of providing more than we could have hoped for.

Living passionately also means accepting the new thing God asks you to step into while simultaneously enjoying what you’ve already been given. It’s about living your normal everyday life beautifully and audaciously. What do you want your kids to remember about their childhood? Do more of that. What would you love to do that you haven’t done yet? Today is the day to start. Why not let loose your inner hugging person, even if you’ve tamped her down in social settings before? Why not wear the pants you didn’t think you could pull off? Seduce your husband and make his day. Enjoy your work and view it as a blessing – do it with all your might. Don’t just make it through the day; add a little romance. Why not go for it? Your life has been given to you as a gift from God; it doesn’t always have to be serious and high-stakes – go and enjoy it.

You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. JEREMIAH 29:13

For too long, we’ve lived afraid, fending for ourselves and letting fear dictate our lives. But anxiety was never meant to be our guide. It may have protected us in moments, but it has also built walls that kept joy out. To be absorbed by joy means releasing the constant need to control, defend and strive.

We’ve bought the lie that if certain things in our life were different, then we could relax and enjoy ourselves. But you don’t actually need to buy that red-light mask, to upgrade your kitchen, or for your kid to “make good choices” to be filled with joy. Joy is a relief. It is enjoying the small things, and it is a defiant resistance to darkness. It’s time to enjoy the joy.