It’s 2018! It’s hard to believe that another year has come and gone and now another year has just begun. Maybe you have made goals for yourself this year. Maybe you are striving to eat healthier, exercise more, or be more intentional in your relationships. Whatever it may be I hope you find success along the way!

Before January 1st, 2018 poked it’s head around the corner, Robbie and I decided to have a “Goals Date”. This was a great idea brought to our attention by a dear friend. She shared with me that every year her and her husband get together and chat about their goals for the year and write out daily expectations. She even gave a book to us filled with questions to go over together. It made the biggest difference to sit down, dream together, and plan out goals for our family. We are both so excited about what God is calling our family to do in 2018.

Instead of writing down a bunch of personal goals for myself this year, I decided it was important to write down 4 purposes for myself. These purposes are what I will aim to come back to on the hard days and my hope is that they will continually remind me of what’s most important. Here they are:

1. Love God
2. Serve my family
3. Raise our boys
4. Lead women

I spent a lot of time last Fall trying to figure out what God wanted me to do. I became very confused after the boys started Kindergarten. My “normal” had changed and I was suddenly seeking my identity in what I thought other people thought I should be doing instead of finding contentment in the season God had me in. I got stuck in comparison and to be honest it held me hostage. Now I know what Proverbs 29:25 means, “The fear of human opinion disables, trusting in God protects you from that.”

I declare to you- this year will be different! I have made it my goal to work on confidence and contentment in the 4 things I know I should be doing!

Whatever you plan to do this year whether big or small, I want to encourage to keep your eyes straight ahead. Often times I hear the phrase, “stay in your lane” and I love it. Instead of looking to the left or the right like we so naturally do, may we stay focused on the One who gives us purpose, joy, true life, and contentment.

What is God calling you specifically to do this year? Keep your eyes on that. Is he calling you to step out of comfortability and pursue your neighbors? You can do it! Is he calling you to be more intentional with your schedule and create more margin for yourself and your family? Do that. Is he wanting you to parent differently? With more patience? Go for it. Whatever it may be, let’s aim to fix our eyes on Jesus. He is our source. We have all we need in Him. I love what Isaiah 26:3 says, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.”

May God be our rock in this season as we focus on our purpose found only in Him. God has juicy, vibrant plans for you. All that’s left to do is just to tap into them. I’m preaching to myself over here girlfriend. He calls you and I by name and he is waiting for us to tap into the good works described in Ephesians 2:10. These plans have been in place even before 2018 started.

Now, what are you waiting for friend? I am praying for you and rooting for you!