Can we just take a minute or two to reflect on 2016? What was your year like?
Maybe some of you met the love of your life, got engaged or married or became a mom. Or just maybe the odds weren’t in your favor and you experienced divorce, a breakup, a miscarriage, or decided to get help and go to rehab.
All of these things can make or break a year.
Yesterday, I spent some time running outside. It was freezing and I felt like I was dying but there was also something so very peaceful and special about my mile run. I used this time to reflect on my year. What worked and what didn’t?
Ya see, last year I was so busy trying to make myself happy. I poured myself into relationships and friendships that weren’t doing me any good. I spent my weekends at bars, chasing boys and just dying to feel something.
Thinking back, it makes me sad and that’t not the point of all of this.
The point of all of this is that crap stays in 2016. We have a clean slate, a fresh start. That break up you are experiencing doesn’t matter anymore. Maybe you hate yourself for sleeping around, or it could be that you spent your new years passed out on the bathroom floor. Whatever it is that you’re mad at yourself for–forgive yourself. I know it still still hurts but we are given freedom on January 1st. His mercy and love renews every single morning. Maybe it’s a mindset? I don’t know. But, if you have faith in Jesus-He will see us through.
Today, instead of wallowing in self-pity– make a list. Yes, I am one of those girls that LOVES a list.
Go ahead, create a list of goals not resolutions. For some crazy reason, goals sounds more promising. What do YOU want to do differently this year? Listed below are just a few of mine and since we are friends here, I am going to ask you to hold me accountable. Find someone you are close to– to do the same for you. Accountability is so great.
- Listen more–speak less
- Lead a Bible study (Cultivated in Grace)
- Be obedient to God
- Plug in at church (Kidspring)
- Quit blaming myself for everything
- Live a healthy lifestyle (come on yall, it’s inevitable)
- Love God
- Love others
- Love myself
Of course budgeting and all that jazz is on there too BUT you get my point..hopefully. Please remember that we have freedom. We are NOT trapped in our sins. We can get out. That incredible man died on a wooden cross so that you and I could have redemption. We are not slaves to our pasts. We are F R E E. Just ask and you shall receive. Make today the best day of your life by asking for forgiveness and become a child of God. Such a perfect start to a new year.
If there is any way that I can help you please feel free to contact me at roarkallie@gmail.com.
Of course, I am doing a little giveaway.. It’s a new year and who doesn’t love free stuff?? I truly believe that spending time with God is a necessity which leads me to Lara Casey’s Write the Word journal. The winner will receive her very own journal and a Cultivated in Grace decal. What better way to start the year! Please comment for your chance to win. Bonus points to those who share:) just saying! Winner will be announced one week from today! 1-8-16
I love you all and I have an insane feeling that 2017 will be our year!
You’re wonderful sister! Love this post.
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Love this! Thanks for pursuing Christ’s heart and sharing your journey with us!!
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Thank you for sharing your heart and being so honest! Keep writing and sharing His goodness!! Xoxo
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Love this and the idea of having a write the word journal. 2016 was a bad year but I’m looking into 2017 with news eye and heart. All I want is a heart filled with God, Jesus, and their loving words.
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How great is your heart! I know with God in our hearts are goals will soon happen as long as we work hard. Great job girl!
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This is beautiful, really really needed to hear this! Thank you 🙂
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Love this journal and all you wrote about everything staying behind in 2016!
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Thank you for sharing pretty girl!! I love that you used goals and not resolutions! I can’t wait to follow your journey in 2017 ❤
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You have great goals! I love how you talk about how goals sound so much more promising than resolutions. For me I have gone a full year with finishing a resolution. It’s something I just plain forget after a while. A goal is so much more different. It’s more long term for me. Thanks so much for sharing!! You have such a kind heart!!
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Thank you for this post! So beautiful ❤
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Love this!❤
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Love this post! It reminded me of a verse that I read recently. Galatians 5:1 – “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.”
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I’m not a fan of the word resolutions either, but I do like to set goals at the beginning of the year as well. I’m also setting smaller monthly goals this year as well
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Allie you are wonderful and have such a sweet soul! Your blog posts speak to my heart! So happy that I was able to connect with you through Jordan’s Sisterhood! LOVE ya sister
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Love this ! Allie you are simply amazing and reading your blog post helps me so much !
Xoxo 💕
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Love your goals here girl! Amen to leaving the past in the past. And I love the Write the Word Journal, I’ve never had my own but I’ve read about them! What a lovely giveaway. Happy New Year! ❤
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Thank you for being so encouraging! One of my goals this year is to really dig deep into God’s Word. I feel like I’ve always tried to study but not dig into it. Good luck on all of your goals and remember that with God you can do anything!
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Love this post! Thanks for being so encouraging! ❤
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Great article girl! Keep being an inspiration! ❤️
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Your blog inspires me so much. Thanks for sharing! ❤
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Love this! Really glad I read it. 🙂
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Here’s to a new year full of the love of Jesus!!
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Love this post so much!
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My goal this year is to dig deeper into God’s word. I want to take time out of each day to spend with him, soaking up His glory!
I had never heard of these journals before, but I’ve already looked up and purchased Volume 1 and Volume 2.
Thank you for sharing! 🙂
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Seriously you have so much wisdom from the Lord. I am so excited to see what this next year brings. There’s a lot of goals that I have for 2017 and I tend to be hard on myself if I don’t meet those but I’m learning to have grace on myself. I love this post!!
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I love this. Thank you for sharing your heart and your goals. ❤ (and what a lovely journal!)
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you rock!!! kill it this year ❤
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Your words have such incredible encouragement! I’ve made myself goals for this year and habits that I want to transfer over into a lifelong process. I’ve learned the whole resolution thing just mentally sets me up for failure because I feel like if I slip up, the whole “new year, new me” vibe is ruined.
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Hey Allie! I just stumbled upon your blog, I’ve seen you on the Sisterhood page, but I’m glad I found your heart in words on here. I love how you wrote this, and I love the idea of writing our goals out in a journal! A safe place that we can look back on and reflect! ❤keep writing because I’ll keep reading girl!
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