Starting fresh: New Year resolutions?

How was your 2020? If I went out and asked the general public about the year they have just had, you can guarantee the majority would all be negative. Although, should we be so negatively minded when surely there was so many blessings that came from 2020?

Many things came from 2020, not just for me but the whole world shared a new appreciation for health. Mental illness for example, statistics of mental health came more apparent, and not forgetting the appreciation of the NHS and all the nurses, doctors and other health care workers. Yous guys are amazing! Thank you for all that you have done to serve your country during this very tough year.

Also, many health workers turned to prayer during their shifts, trying to get through the peaks of the pandemic. All around the world there was a huge struggle to get through the hard times and loss of loved ones and patients. There was a recognition that only God could help such a horrendous situation. Let's think more positively of the year that has passed.

Spiritual blessings

“Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him" - David, Psalm 34:8

At the start of 2020 I was in a happy relationship with a guy that I was head over heals for. Honestly, I was so convinced that he was my man. I thought the sun shone right out of his very existence. There lieth the problem. When he turned round to me 6 months later and told me that he no longer loved me and said he didn't know whether he could ever romantically love me, I just broke. I don't know how else to describe it. I lost connection with Christ after that, because I had heavily made connection with him and my walk with God. I couldn't open my Bible for over a month.

A good friend of mine invited me to a camping holiday with a bunch of other people (who I now call my own friends) down to the South of Ireland. I will not lie to you, I was petrified, I am such a home bird its ridiculous. I am so glad I went. Those young people are on fire for God! Having bible studies and prayer time everyday with them gave me the hunger for Christ that I once had. My association with my Bible had now changed. It was me seeking God for myself once again. Experiencing God again and the adventures that Ireland threw at us was incredible.

God Given?

I had truly got a taste for God and His word again. I felt my spark start to light up within me. I was lost in theology after my ex was so obsessed with it. Confused with theology I had overlooked my first love and why I read my bible everyday... It's for a relationship with God. Yes, if you are into theology, that is great! Study and fall in love with God more and more, but that's the key! Where are you setting your focus when you are applying the deeper theology to the word of God? Is it for selfish reasons to make yourself look good, to be in line with your other friends, or to build on your relationship with God?

My friends helped me to re aline my focus and love on Christ. I can only describe my friends as being God given. I needed my friends to help me to push me in the right direction again. God knew that I was struggling and that I needed the right influence to encourage me to read my Bible again.

2020 brought me new friends and closer to my original friends. I cannot turn round and say that this year was the worst for me. This was only one of my blessings! I also have gained a stronger relationship with my family, due to being with them 24/7, haha, but sure its good we got on well with each other, rather than fighting amongst ourselves.

Verse of the Year

“Show me your ways, O Lord. Teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me. For you are the God who saves me. I wait for you all day long .” David - Psalm 25:4-5

I have really been in the Psalms this year... Or at least the last few months. I have loved sharing in the comfort that David found in God. A lesson we all learnt this year I'm sure is patience. How long have we waited for Covid -19 to leave? Being in isolation or quarantine, waiting to get out of the house and see family and friends. Maybe you are trying to find a job and you have been waiting to hear from an employer, waiting for God to show you an open door. It can be very frustrating, can't it? It is all in God's plan.

I am trying to find a placement for next year, but with all the uncertainty I'm not even sure if I will be able to find one. I am absolutely petrified that I won't get anything, but I have now learned that "All things work together for good to them that love God" (Romans 8:28). I can also relate this to finding a spouse. I really want to get married someday and live my life living for Christ with someone by my side. I am not guaranteed this, but I need to be patient and wait to see what God has planned for my life. It's all in His hands!

Go get 'em!

Now that it's 2021, go into this year remembering all what you have learnt personally in your own experiences of 2020. Whether it's patience, self discipline, or time management. Look back in a positive mindset, learn from mistakes you may have made, or the great things you have done or achieved this year. I'm normally not one for resolutions, probably not the right term to use, but make a resolution this year, do we need to spend more time with God reading and praying, is it a year for waiting, or a year for doing what God has taught us to do from the past year?

You make your own. If you want to share with me, you can make contact with me via the contact page. Send me an email, or link to my instagram and send me a dm.

Love you's Lots,

Winnie xo