Rather than Resolutions…Remember

There have been many new years that I’ve faced with hopeful expectations and a few resolutions thrown in for good measure. This year is no different!

After the past several years, a new beginning and some hope for good things coming sounds lovely! 

God hasn’t given me a quiet season for quite a while. In fact, this season of hard has been going on for a lot longer than I’d like. I’ve been walking with weariness as my companion for far too long. 

For years, I’ve prayed for my circumstances to change, but this year, I’m going to pray for my perspective to change.

I want to take my thoughts captive for Christ. I struggle sometimes to see blessings when I allow burdens to bend my back and my face is to the ground. Burdens that God has repeatedly asked me to give to Him…I often carry them a bit longer than necessary. 

Rather than resolutions (although I suppose in a way these are resolutions), I’m choosing to remember what God has been showing me over these challenging years. I’ve also added some verses to remind myself that these statements are true.  

 

  1. I’m loved deeply, relentlessly, passionately, faithfully, and completely by my Father. (Psalm 36:7, Jeremiah 31:3, Isaiah 54:10)
  2. Love is not found in earning, deserving, or working. My Father is love and He is for me. (Romans 5:8, 1 John 4:16)
  3. I’m chosen not because I’m enough, I’m perfect, I’m beautiful, I’m a hard-worker, I’m kind, I’m athletic, I’m hospitable, I’m busy, or any other thing I think I need to be. I’m chosen because He made me and He loves me…period. (Romans 8:37-39, Isaiah 43:1, Isaiah 44:1)
  4. I’m worthy of love, respect, and kindness because I’m my Father’s daughter, His masterpiece, and the apple of His eye. (1 John 3:1, Ephesians 2:10, Isaiah 43:4)
  5. I can have hope because my hope is not in my circumstances changing for the better. My hope is Jesus. (Romans 15:13, 1 Timothy 1:1)
  6. Peace isn’t found when life calms down and I can rest. My peace is Jesus. (Ephesians 2:13-14, Micah 5:5)
  7. My refuge is not found in social media, streaming shows, shopping, sleep, projects, work, or anything else I use as a distraction from difficult things. My refuge is Jesus. (Psalm 91:2-5, Psalm 46:1)
  8. Joy is not dependent on prayers answered as I want them to be. Joy is realizing that my future is assured because God has secured it for me. (1 Peter 1:8-9, Hebrews12:2)
  9. I am not alone no matter how lonely it can feel as a single parent. My God will never leave me nor forsake me. The Holy Spirit is with me always. (Joshua 1:9, Deuteronomy 31:8)
  10. Even when I feel weak, I am strong because the Lord is my strength. (Isaiah 41:10, Habakkuk 3:19, 2 Corinthians 12:10)

 

No matter the challenges or blessings this coming year holds, I’m going to hold on to the truths of Whose and Who I am as I take my thoughts captive knowing that I am precious, chosen and loved. 

Sue Birdseye is an author and communicator who shares the adventures she has on her unexpected journey of single parenting. She went from the typical “picket fence” kind of life to being a single mom to five beautiful children. She has learned what it means to be totally dependent upon the Lord and how beautiful that dependence is.

Her change of life circumstances has led to a passionate desire to encourage and bless other moms no matter their life circumstances. She has been active in her community as a foster/adoptive mom and public school teacher. She has also been part of her church’s worship, discipleship, women’s, and children’s ministries. She is an avid book reader, a game night hoster, and an early morning writer. Her book “When Happily Ever After Shatters” is the story of how God stepped into her life and the lives of her children just when everything seemed to be falling apart. She hopes that her writing will encourage, bless, and maybe even make someone smile.