By Grace Through Faith

If you’ve been following along for the past few years with me, you know that I enjoy reflecting much over the last month of the year. I’m not specifically talking about setting “New Years resolutions”, but instead, reflecting over the memories, the rhythms, and the intentions you had over the year.

I have been under the weather over the past weekend, which really required me to slow down and rest. Rest doesn’t always mean catching up on sleep, but it can also be to mentally rest. To slow down. To pause.

And as I have been pausing, I have also been reflecting over the year. It’s given me time to consider what memories I have enjoyed over the past year. What’s been new? What has changed since this time last year? And through the changes, how am I different? How have I grown?

I also consider what’s been challenging? What were moments that you didn’t expect to happen? How did you grieve changes or losses if they did happen?

What is interesting about the times I am under the weather, I am usually the kindest to myself. I don’t put a lot of pressure on myself to get “x, y, and z” done. I normally have a mindset of “okay do this, only if you feel like it”. I really prioritize myself and my well-being.

Now I’m not saying that you can always throw responsibilities out of the way and only serve yourself all year long. But what does it look like to prioritize your well-being in the day to day and check in with yourself of how are you doing? What do you need to get done? And where can you be kind to yourself during the day?

I was listening to a podcast recently, and one of the questions going into the new year asked, “When you think about who you will be a year from now, what do you want that person to be?”

My answer was “I really want her to be kinder to herself”. More loving towards herself in way where she can let go of the pressure to always get something right or give that 110% to everything. To really check in with herself, pause, and give grace to herself as she goes throughout life.

I think we can sometimes get swept away by the love we have towards others and how to steward that well. But you can’t pour from an empty bucket. And it is important to monitor that bucket and assess what you need to fill it back up. Maybe it’s physical rest to catch up on sleep or take time to physically slow down. Maybe it’s mental rest to pause from productivity. Maybe it’s spiritual rest to spend time with the Father alone and check in with your soul.

Thinking through how we steward our lives, it is important to check what you’re saying “yes” and “no” to. That really directs a lot of our choices. I think for some of us, that “people pleaser” mentally can come out to say “yes” to anything and everything.

“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” – Proverbs 16:9

But we must use discernment with our choices. We must listen to the voice of God first before we start listening to our desires or the opinions of others. Praying, “Okay Lord, how do you want me to direct my steps today? How do you want me to walk into this week? Show me what to say yes to and what to say no to. Remind me that slowing down for myself is good to do. Creating time to rest is needed so that I can show up for others well in the future.”

With the hustle mode of the holidays coming up, I hope you are able to find rest within your rhythms. I hope that you can also reflect and set intentions for the days and the weeks ahead.

With love,

Claire