I've always loved mondays. Well, I guess not always. Let me rephrase that. Now that I'm an adult I love Mondays. There is something about a clean slate. New opportunities, chances to do things right. Chances to do things better. There is a new week ahead to seek, and to find. To uncover parts of the bigger plan, and to reflect on how far I've come. However, today was not Monday. Today was the first day of a new year.
The last four years or so I get excited about New Year's Eve. I gave up long ago trying to plan a night on the town, or a nice meal out. Its a good thing too, because now I enjoy nothing more than getting cozy with the ones I love and talking about "the list" or goals or dreams. No two years have ever been the same. Sometimes we ring in the new year with dear friends, and other years (like last night) everyone is tucked in bed while me and the baby wait out the second wind, and listen to sisters slip and slide with their 'footies' on in the other end of the house... hoping that they don't wake our tired guests.
But this year I did something different. I did something with even more intent. I didn't just pull goals out of the clear-blue-ten-degree-below-zero-sky. I took an entire afternoon to reflect on the last year along with my husband and our brand spanking new wood burning stove. It. Was. Delightful. It was like a big fat Monday- the first day of a whole new year ahead. We finished, and I gathered my shopping list and headed to the store. In my rare alone-time shopping I found myself giddy knowing that it was an afternoon REALLY well spent, and I was excited to get started, to welcome 2013 with open arms and no fear. I realized I had never taken ANY time to reflect on the year behind in order to prepare for the year ahead. I realized that the goals I had loosely chosen before this time of reflection were spot-on, and I couldn't wait to get started. I uncovered some truths, and some answers to some useless anxieties I've been experiencing. I learned that when we press into our anxiety and seek answers, the anxiety melts into a clear answer with confidence to try something new. I learned that when we draw our strength from Him, we really can move mountains. I learned that being completely transparent with your spouse uncovers profound statements that prepare our hearts and minds for what is to come.
So this big fat "Monday" is drawing to a close. The rise and fall of baby's breath is at my side, and the sound of a passing car on the highway reminds me that life continues. That I have the privilege of living this life. I have the choice to walk in obedience with excitement, or I have the choice to walk with only determination to do things my way. The two paths will not end at the same destination, and I only have interest to walk in obedience. But today is the first day of the year. A big fat "Monday" that has me ready to dig deeper, relish longer, listen more closely, surrender more fully, and look up always.
Will you join me in falling in love with Mondays? You have a whole new year ahead (and 52 Mondays!). What do you think He will have you do THIS year? I can't wait to hear...
Do you need some help reflecting on 2012? Its not too late! Click here to download the questions that we reviewed this afternoon.
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