As this surreal year of 2020 concludes amid a backdrop of presents and painful losses, there is also planning taking place. I don’t know about you, but I’m finding that planning for 2021 helps shake off the fog this year has brought.
Many of our 2020 steps have been taken without any clear path ahead.
Covid-19
Elections
Ever-developing new ways to do old things
New challenges every day.
Of one thing I am certain, the Lord has my path (and plans) in His atlas. Now, that doesn’t mean I sit and wait for something to happen. No. God wants me and you to have hope refreshed for the future and make plans accordingly.
In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps. Proverbs 16:9
I found that many of my days this year passed by without me taking action on most of the plans I had made. It was like I was waiting for all of…this…to end before I could move forward. Before I could do something, but what? I’m not beating myself up about it and, if you can relate, neither should you.
I spent time in my bible, prayer, caring for my family, working every day, and writing a lot more. I can’t be disappointed about making it through another year, especially this year. That’s what it feels like. We made it through. There were a few close calls with family and friends, but we all made it through okay. And I’m grateful, but I don’t think we are supposed to just make it through.
Maybe this was meant to be a year of pause.
Think about that for a minute.
Pause.
Pause to take an inventory of all the good things God has done and be joyful (Psalm 126:3).
As this year concludes, let’s make those plans, taking care to make them God’s plans. Give them to Him. Let Him do the care and nurturing and see what happens.
Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3: 20
So here’s what I’m planning for 2021, God willing:
- Studying joy, being joyful, and passing that on to my family and friends.
- Concentrate on keeping myself well so that I can serve others well. That includes sleep, rest, exercise, and spiritual respite in any order.
- Prioritizing what is essential, focusing on that, letting the rest go.
- The scariest for me, believe it or not, is finally setting up the dreaded email list. This is something writers and bloggers are supposed to do. I think it’s in the blogger handbook somewhere. I just haven’t found it yet (the handbook, I mean). I dread this because of the tech involved, not being in better communication with readers. I keep telling myself that I couldn’t possibly do it on my own. You can I’m nervous because I’ve written the most about this. I have to get past this to do the next thing.
- Send out one newsletter each month that, hopefully, encourages and serves you.
- Take at least one writing course.
- Take at least one course for caregivers.
- When it’s safe to travel, I’d like to get away with my husband.
- Again, when it’s safe to travel, go to at least one writer’s or women’s conference.
- Have more fun.
Instead, you should say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” James 4:15
These are not resolutions, but things I’d like to accomplish and incorporate into my life, not just in the New Year. It’s not a long list and, when I come back to review it from time to time, I have hope that some of these plans will come to fruition. Why not all of them?
God willing.
…but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31.
Are you making plans? We’d love to hear. You are welcome to share in the comments.
Merry Christmas, my friends, and the highest hopes for your New Year.
P.S. About that mailing list thing, number 4 on my list, I might pull this one ahead in the few days I have off over the holiday to get it over with…I’m biting my nails.
You can find me on the Five Minute Friday linkup this week, as usual. Farewell to our blogging friend, Joe Siccardi. The writing prompt this week is CONCLUDE.
Enjoyed this – there will be very similar items on my list, especially number 4! For someone who loves to plan and ‘be organised’ I’m learning to hold my plans loosely and be willing to take a diversion! #FMF13
Let’s do this email thing, girlfriend! We’ve got to get past it. And, yes, those left turns God takes for us bring us to the most wonderful places.
Thank you so much for stopping by. Don’t be a stranger.
I love the pause to take inventory, what a wonderful idea thank you for sharing.
Visit from FMF#5
Hi Paula, Pausing is sometimes a hard thing to do, but I’m learning it is necessary. Thanks for stopping by again.
Pedal to the metal,
guess it is one of my flaws
that I cannot really settle,
that I cannot really pause.
The sands are running far too fast,
I hear them in the night,
and I know I will not last,
but Bubba, see the light
that I cast around me now,
before the flame burns out,
and the speed is truly how
I have the breath to shout
praises to His Name On High,
before it’s time to say goodbye.
Yes, Andrew, I will follow your lead and sing praises. Thank you.
Loved “Maybe this was meant to be a year of pause.”
(Visiting from #35)
Thanks, Sandra. I was concerned about writing that line because many have lost loved ones this year, and there have been so many other losses too. The pause doesn’t minimize that loss, it’s more like acknowledgment. As we go into 2021, I hope we can focus on gains for a change.