New Beginnings

Here we are, a little over an hour from the new year (here in PST). And, the prompt over at Finding the Grace Within is quite appropriate: BEGIN.

We take the opportunity at the start of each new year to find new beginnings.

Before I look at the possible new beginnings headed my way in 2015, I am also taking a look back at 2014. Did I meet my goals? Am I pleased with what I accomplished? How do I feel about life at this point?

Did I meet all my goals?

The simple answer here is: NO. I didn’t quite meet all my goals. While I managed to read all the Chronicles of Narnia, I did not manage to read any other Lewis works this year. I also did not read the whole Bible. I also failed to write every day.

But, if I look at what these would accomplish, then, I succeeded.

• Read all the Lewis works I haven’t read yet: Did I expand my mind through reading this year, and grow in my faith based on the words of those who have gone before? Yes, yes I did. By reading others’ works, not just Lewis.
• Read the whole Bible: Did I grow in my relationship with God? Did I find myself drawn to His word & brought closer to His thrown? Yes, I grew. I interacted. I enacted. I learned. I wandered, and wandered back. And, though I didn’t read the whole Bible, by the end of 2014, I find that I cannot go to bed without spending time in His word & in prayer. And, I managed to read 19 of the 66 books (of those, I read 4 of them twice), as well as the longest Psalm (119).
• Write every day: Did I grow in my craft? Did I polish my skill? Did I move forward in my projects and stories? Yes, yes I did. In 2014, I wrote my 100th blog post (which inspired the switch to WordPress). Then, I went on to write 50+ more. I managed to get farther in my devotional (which should be released soon), and I have expanded the three other projects I have on the back burner.

These were my original three goals. Then, Cousin gave me one more: go on my first date. And share my dating adventure with the world. Because, who doesn’t want to read a Never Been Kissed story about a 25 year old who had never been kissed, had never even been on a date?

Well, people did want to read. And they followed along on the beginning of my journey from living the single life, to my first date, to the end of that short lived relationship.

My Adventures in dating stirred up quite the conversation (and some extra readers). And, the adventure continues, as I continue to wait & pray for a Godly guy, one who is passionately in pursuit of Christ & me. (And, if he reads & lifts, well, that’s a major bonus).

Do I regret any of my time with the Airman? Absolutely not. I appreciate it so much. It was a sweet time, and I am so thankful for that relationship.

I am also thankful for God’s whispers, and the way He sometimes shouts at us through others if we don’t listen to His whispers. When we are too afraid to make the move we know we need to, He sends someone who will listen to His voice, and then yell it at us.

So, as we move into 2015, as we each begin again, I think to myself, What are my new beginnings?

• Grow closer to God: more time in prayer, finishing up with the Bible books I didn’t get to this year. Continuing in ministry. And, listening to His voice in all things.
• Write…as much as I can, whatever I can, whenever I can: I may be consumed by school & work right now, but I know this is a part of His call. I can never stop.
• Get fit: This is the first true new beginning. This isn’t about just losing weight. This is about getting comfortable in my skin. Matching the body on the outside with the amazing person I’m loving on the inside. It’s about my desire not only to raise a Godly family, but a healthy one. (And, I’ll admit, it’s a little about the vain desire to be part of a “fitcouple” one day…assuming he lifts… 😉 )
• Graduate: This is another new beginning. Once school is done, I look forward to moving in whatever God calls me to next. I am so excited to see how He leads me in using my degree to help others and to minister in the way He has etched on my heart.
• Continue bravely in this Dating Adventure: I know 2015 may not be the year I meet “him”, but it might be. Either way, I want to be brave; I want to be open; I want to…

What about you? What new beginnings are you looking forward to in this upcoming year? What chapters are you closing in order to make these happen?

Happy 2015, everyone!