Beauty in the Small Things

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV

I have the usual New Year’s Resolutions: be healthier, travel more, love better. But I can hear God’s voice challenging me to make this year count. Most of last year was spent in stress, worry, and emptiness. I took my eyes off the Father and lived a life of monotony. My shiny, perfect-Christian mask grew too heavy to hold, and I ended 2018 sick and tired. I burned myself out trying to please and perform, when God was waiting for me to sit with Him.

The Holy Spirit inspired this post during my morning stretch, one of the small routines I so often take for granted. At least twice a week, I’ll play a yoga video, try to breathe deeply, and thank God for a body that can move. Yesterday morning, I pushed my body and mind to go past the usual points of flexibility and gratefulness.

I began thanking God for my recent vacation to NYC, the family I got to travel with, and all the individual quirks that make them mine.

I began thanking God for a husband who challenges me to be the best version of myself and pursue all my dreams in 2019.

I began thanking God for a cozy home, a loving community, and on and on and on.

By the end of my practice, I was asking God for His eyes and heart, for His eternal perspective. My vision is so limited, and the things I can see aren’t always the things I need to see. I grew selfish last year, and scarcely looked for opportunities to encourage and build others up. My survival took precedence over those who needed a kind word or quality time. I stopped loving with intention and began loving from convenience.

2019 is going to be an abundant year; not materially, but inwardly. Every day, we get a second chance to taste the abundance of God, the fruits of the Spirit, and the power of His love. God wants your year to be filled with beauty and blessing. He wants to speak to you like you’ve never let Him before. I’m tired of monotony overshadowing life’s sweetness. I’m tired of discontentment stealing joy from life’s imperfect blessings. I’m tired of complacency holding me back from my God-given potential. This year, I’m going to open myself up to whatever the Lord has in store. When man’s pursuits leave me empty, His Will fills me up.

Will you allow 2019 to be a year of “yes” to God? Will you shift your routine to fit around His presence and pursue intentional time with Him?

You’ll never regret meeting with the Father, and every day is a new opportunity for divine intervention.