Number our days...

I love New Years.

No matter how the previous one went for you, be it a struggle, victorious, or mundane, there's something empowering about a reset.

Start again.

Hit refresh.

We had a big year in our little world. Some good. Some bad. A bit of grief. My grandmother passed...the first of my grandparents to leave us. Our son was baptized, standing firm in his choice to follow Christ. Mom and I opened a local shop, and I published a book back in the spring.

In between are all kinds of highs and lows. There are some concerns that bleed across the boundary of years.

But through it all, I've carried a strong sense of God's moving. It's comforting to know that He sees it all, long before we even catch of glimpse of what's coming.

As we enter this new year, with it's own joy and challenges to come, I feel a strong desire to push harder. To make this time and this life count. Every minute is a gift, an opportunity.

And I am the greatest waster of minutes.

This year, I'm striving to change that.

Ask yourself this: what more can you accomplish with just a bit more intention?

This isn't me falling head first into the beast of obsession. I'm not just talking about work and ambition.

But we live in a time of distraction > social media, influencer lifestyles, celebrity news, pandemic issues, gossip, political tension, etc.

It's become easy, and common, to waste HOURS chasing nonsense. Consuming emptiness. Neglecting TRUTH and DEPTH. RELATIONSHIPS and DISCIPLESHIP.

Neglecting the gifts given by a gracious Creator to shine His light into a darkening, lonely world.

So my prayers for 2022 is this:

"Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." (Psalm 20:12)

I pray joy and peace to you this year, whatever comes.

Love always,

Laura