In 2023, I was determined to make some changes in my faith journey. Starting around October of 2022, I started realizing how overbooked my schedule that year had been, especially that Fall. I kept saying “Yes” and making plans that were not always necessary but sounded like a good idea at the time. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed all the activities I was a part of, but I felt something was missing…REST! I felt like I was constantly on the move and didn’t give myself time to breathe. God commanded His people to take a Sabbath day, including us, and I was failing miserably. So, like a said, something HAD to change!

I decided my word for 2023 would be “REST!” Upon coming to the realization that I wasn’t being intentional about the choices I was making about how I spent my time, I decided on another word to cling to this year…”INTENTIONALITY!” Then, my birthday came along in late October, and an incredible woman, who I consider my mentor, but more importantly a cherished friend, reminded me that every 7 years you are a completely different person biologically and mentally, so it being my 28th birthday, divisible by 7…4 times (that doesn’t make me feel old…it’s fine) I decided on a 3rd and final word for 2023…”RENEWAL!”

January 1, 2023, New Year’s Day, I decided without hesitation, that I was going to complete a Bible plan to read the entire Bible in a year. I have never completed the Bible from beginning to end but have always longed to do so just never disciplined myself to fulfill that longing before. I chose one on YouVersion Bible app and am SO thankful that I finally decided to go through the whole Bible in a year! I struggled to focus in the beginning, but then I discovered listening to the audio of a voice reading the Scriptures was the best way I could pay attention. I listen to that plan as well as my other devotionals this way now. Having the words read aloud by another voice is like having story time as an adult (plus it gives my eyes a break).

Not long after the start of this year, I also made the decision to start a Twitter account dedicated to honoring God. I only follow faith-based Twitter accounts, whether that be well known Christian leaders or musicians, pages with Bible verses or Christian topics, or Christian family and friends.

So far this year, I have learned so much about who God is and who he created me to be! I have been reflecting on the past couple of years a lot lately, and I am in awe of the strengthening of my faith over such a short period of time. I could not have kept my eyes on who and what truly matters without my husband and church family though! I cannot express my gratitude enough to God for blessing me with such amazing people to go through life with!

I decided right around the time that Lent was about to begin that I wanted to start writing the lessons I am learning and revelations from God that I am receiving so I can track my journey even better as well as bring glory to God through my writing and bring the hope of Jesus to all who take time to read these words. I took the two days before Ash Wednesday to reflect and rest. I had decided that I was going to fast from using Facebook and Instagram for Lent because I noticed it was taking up so much valuable time and energy. Looking back now, in July, I didn’t really miss it all that much and I haven’t used either nearly as much as I was before. I also have begun removing negative influences off of my social media so I don’t become drained again.

If I have learned anything in the past few years, it is that God wasn’t messing around when he said he has plans for us! His plans are far greater than I could ever imagine! Here are some good reminders:

I was going through a lot back in February, and I truly had to put my trust in God that he was going to help turn my situation around, and boy, did he??? I am overflowing with gratitude from this journey I’ve been on since before Lent! I couldn’t think of a better step by step guide to REST than this acrostic that showed up in my devotional:

In all that has happened since I decided to create this blog, I am still learning to let go, let God, and truly REST, trusting that God has EVERYTHING under control!