I don’t know if you are excited to usher in a new year, but I am. Not only do I love new beginnings, but I need new beginnings. Life has a way of wearing us down so new beginnings allow us fresh hope.

This is the time of year we look back on where we’ve been in order to plan for where we want to go or who we want to be. And as tradition goes, MomsHope-er’s always start the new year off by defining a personal Life Theme. A declaration of intention. A focal point of purpose for the year.

So as we close the chapter on 2018 and turn the page on 2019 let’s take a moment to look back in review. Take inventory. Think of highs and lows. What worked and what didn’t. Disappointments and successes. Places of growth and places that still need some growth.

Can you pinpoint an over-arching theme of intention for the coming year? Something specific God is working in you. What will it be? Will you focus on ‘Resolutions’ or ‘Revelations’?

Resolutions are fueled by determination to perform an action with a desired result. Revelation, on the other hand, is focused on receiving something communicated or disclosed.

Resolutions require performance. Revelation requires presence.

Although I am a task-oriented individual with an inclination for goal setting, I’m shifting gears this year and am setting my compass to revelation versus resolution. I want to say, “Yes, Lord” to what He is calling me to this year in all aspects of my life—parenting, work, ministry, relationships, anything and everything.

This stance of surrender scares me. No doubt about it. It requires a tuned ear and a spiritual acuity that I don’t always have the patience for. Even so, my intention is to experience His presence so I can follow and obey His voice. Why? Because it is only in this space of ‘presence’ can I experience the divine adventure He has for me.

How about you? Will you lean toward a specific resolution this coming year? Something you feel God is calling you to change, accomplish, or consider? Or will you seek His presence and experience a new revelation specific for 2019?

Just this weekend, I was reminded how short and precious life is as a dear friend of mine lost her mother. It is in marked moments such as these that the extraneous falls to the wayside because only that which matters has room to remain.

I believe this is a good place to start when approaching a new year. Head back to the basics. Remove the extraneous parts of life that have the propensity to steal our time, joy, and talent so that we can uncover what is truly important.

Don’t rush this inquiry. Take some time to hear the voice of God. Let Him shed light on what is really important. Ask Him for a vision for where He wants to take you or who He wants you to be this year. The key is taking the time to listen. For some, this will require stillness and silence. For others, taking a walk and praying or journaling our way through our thoughts is the path to revelation.

After some time of discovery, write down everything revealed even if it doesn’t make sense. Do you see a common theme?

Here are a few examples to get you started:

• Be Brave…in a specific area
• Be Free…break a bad habit
• Love Well…relationships
• Live on Purpose…in ministry, parenting, work, gifting
• Say, “Yes Lord”…in obedience to His voice
• Choose to Trust…God in an area I continue to take control
• Be Intentional…with my time
• Invest…in the talent God has given me to serve others
• Surrender…my will to His in an area of fear
• Live Forgiven…forgive myself, give or receive forgiveness from someone else

Once you narrow in on the theme for this year, it’s imperative to identify places of resistance. What tends to trip you up and careen your hard work off course? Again, write down everything that comes to mind. This can be a battle plan of defense.

Transformation happens by way of surrender and prayer. Pray for God to align your goals to His will. Pray for the desire to change and grow. Pray for the ability to push through resistance when it presents as a stumbling block on your journey to growth.

Whether you decide on resolution or revelation, the journey of transformation will be an adventure. Our charge is to allow our “Theme of Intention” to influence our thoughts and actions throughout the year so that when faced with decisions, circumstances, or places of resistance we will pass them through this filter to make sure they are lining up with God’s good will.

Will we make the right choices every time? Probably not, but our goal is to grow into more of who God is calling us to be and the only way to do that is to work at it—one foot in front of the other, one day at a time. And before you know it, one good decision leads to two, and two leads to three, and so on.

Hugs for a great week and remember, you are not alone. Be blessed, adventure awaits.