My 2018 Goals and One Word
So I know that everyone has already been talking about goals and resolutions, and something like 80% of people have already failed at their resolutions. But for the last several years, I haven't made any resolutions, I've used Powersheets to help me make specific goals for various aspects of my life where I wanted to grow or invest in. And friends, it has made all the difference. A resolution usually is made when there is a desperate desire for change, but then the guilt sets in as you don't make the choices you know you should make and things just seem hard to keep up with. But a goal has a deeper meaning to it and usually reflects a desire for specific change within an area of your life. Or at least that's how I see it. :)
I took the month of January to focus on getting ready for and having my procedure and recovering from that, so I have had a lot of time to think about what I want this year to look like. Last night I told Rory, "I have three months left until I turn 30." Wow. That's a crazy thought. Not only do I want to enjoy the rest of the last year of my twenties, but I want to welcome 30 with open hands and an open heart!
This year, I couldn't just pin one word down as my "word for the year." In the past several months, I have been learning about what it means to rest in the Lord - to not approach my relationship with Him (or life in general) from a place of striving and trying to earn His favor, which is already mine through Christ Jesus. He has also been teaching me about what it means to walk in victory. Not just over sin, but in my attitude and in the way I approach life. Do I think of myself as victim of my circumstances or choices, or do I choose to see the world from a place of settled abundance and trust in Him?
I want to trust Him in all things and live a victorious life. So my phrase for this year is "resting in victory." Because I don't have to strive to do it all when He has already made a way. I don't have to live from a place of defeat when I am more than a conqueror through Christ. Over and over the Lord just keeps confirming it. I mean, I found out this weekend that my middle name, Nicole, means "the victory of the people" in Greek! Are you kidding me? God is so cool, y'all.
Without further adieu, here are my goals for 2018:
1. Memorize whole chapters of Scripture.
At the Lifeway Women's Leadership Forum in November, Lysa Terkeurst said, "Jesus Christ saved my soul, but the Word of God saved my mind." Yes. All the amens to this. I want my entire life to be saturated with Jesus. Jesus is the Word of God, so the only way to do that is to know His Word!
2. Become a student of the Word.
I absolutely LOVE to do a good Bible study or read a good book. Beth Moore, Francine Rivers, Lysa Terkeurst, Priscilla Shirer...I love to learn from wise women who are authors. But I also get so much more out of my time in God's word when I dig for the treasure myself. So this year, I want to do the hard work myself and dig deep!
3. Become more disciplined with money.
I think this will always be something that I am working on. Rory and I don't abuse credit cards, our cars are paid off, and we try to save each month but also live generously. BUT. We could always learn more and do better.
4. Invest more in my marriage.
At our staff retreat, our speaker told us that the best way to be a good parent is to love your spouse. Well there you have it. I want to always make Rory my priority (after Christ). I think that we love each other well, but we are most assuredly not perfect, and I want us to continue to grow together.
5. Continue taking care of my physical health.
Last year I made some changes to my diet, and it changed a lot about how I felt from day to day. In the fall I added exercise to the picture when I joined a gym for the first time in a couple years, and it has taken me to the next level! I love my classes and want to continue to take care of myself and make good choices regarding my physical health so that I can do all that God has called me to do.
6. Publish my second book.
EEK! This one is scary to write, but the time has come! All through last year I wrote my book in chunks, and this spring, I will release and self-publish it via Amazon. So. very. excited!
7. Advocate for kids in foster care.
We are *almost* approved foster parents, in fact, our first home study is on Sunday! This calling is something that is so dear to our hearts, and I pray we can advocate for these kids and love on the ones who enter our home.
8. Lay the foundation for CWJC of Athens.
So I haven't said anything officially here, but I am starting a women's ministry here in Athens! There is a lot more to that and it deserves its own post, but just know that I am crazy excited about it and will tell you all more soon. :)
9. Read 12 books.
I mean, does this even need an explanation? And hopefully I will read more. :)
10. Have more fun!
Annie Downs, one of my favorite authors, always says that she wants to prioritize fun, because it is just underrated. And friends, there may be a million things that are completely out of my control, but I can control my attitude. And I want to have more fun. :)
What are you working toward this year?
What are you focusing on?
I'll be back soon with my February goals (even though it is almost the middle of the month. There's grace for that, right?!)