Cheers to 2020, and a toast welcoming 2021!
I have came to the realization that 2020 was meant to happen because it brought me right where God wanted me. It taught me a lot and it taught my girls a lot. I asked my girls last night for the first time what their resolution would be for the new year; explaining to them it is something you do to make yourself better or something you do that you have always wanted to do, like a dream you have for your life. No prepping involved, here is our conversation:
Me: So what is your New Year's Resolution? Braelyn (quickly said): Be a better person... Me: Explain what you mean by a better person... Braelyn: Show more respect to my parents.
Lyncoln (chiming in): Respecting my mommy and daddy is mine, too!
It doesn’t take much, folks. So here’s my toast to you... Know that whatever your life was in 2020 is what was supposed to be. And....whatever it is today in 2021, is what it's supposed to be. Period. God has plans for you. God has plans for me. Period. Gods plans for me, is not YOUR plans for me, they are HIS plans. So let them be. Stop forcing, Go with the flow, Find your happy, It is what it is! Welcome, 2021!
Now let's reflect... They say its easier to reflect 'out of present moment.'
Having full understanding about events after it happened makes your reflection more 20/20..
SO, today, January 2nd, 2021, lets talk 20/20.
Twenty Twenty was full of ups and downs, but isn't every year.
Twenty Twenty made the best of us and the worse of us, but doesn't every year.
It's self growth people!
It caused many sweet memories and many sad moments.
It caused laughter and tears.
It caused gain and it caused loss.
But how can we reflect? How can we take the time to understand what and why things happened?
Hindsight 20/20.
Hindsight year 2020.
What was last year all about?
It was about slowing down.
It was about finding self-love.
It was about living in the moments.
It was about strength.
It was about truth.
I learned that I am a woman of choice. I am a woman with a voice. I am a woman that matters to those that choose to know me.
This year I grew closer to me and further away from those that never knew me at all.
Galatians 1:10 says it best:
"Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God?
Or am I trying to please people?
If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ."
Man does not not cut deep.
All my life I have tried to please people. Do what is best for others rather than what is right for myself. I was pressured to believe in others personal perspective instead of my own. I have tried to please people....which made me stop seeing what God wanted for me and my life. It made me loose sight of myself.
I lost myself.
I did not have strength, I was weak.
I gave in to please those that quite frankly never took time to reciprocate.
I mean, lets face it, you can't keep pouring into cups, that don't pour into yours.
I truly believe God knows what is best for our hearts. God sees what we can not see, and hears what we can not hear. He will guard our hearts and protect us just the same as he will protect those he is protecting us from. God is a loving God and he is always for us just as much he is for the enemy. That is why he is God. I am made in the image of him but I am also who he made me. He has full control of us, therefore let his will be done.
This world is not perfect and the people in it are not perfect. God has complete control. He is going to do things we may scratch our head about but he is doing it because his path will always be the path we are meant to take. The path that will lead us to what he has in store for us. God creates stages in your life so you can learn. It is not always going to be what you want or what others want, but he knows what is best for us, so we have to trust change in our lives.
Sometimes we go through shifts in life...
'As you are shifting, you will begin to realize that you are not the same person you used to be. The things you used to tolerate have become intolerable. When you once remained quiet, you are now speaking your truth. Where you once battled and argued, you are now choosing to remain silent. You are beginning to understand the value of your voice and there are some situations that no longer deserve your time, energy and focus."
Sometimes, no matter how nice you are, how kind you are, how loving you are, it just isn't enough for some people.
That's when you decide it is no longer in your hands, it is in God's hands. Sometimes relationships with God have to happen before a relationships happens with you.
Sometimes it isn't about the prayer, it is about what you learn while waiting for the answer.
Realizing this does not mean to hate but it also doesn’t mean you should accept. You should still love, no matter what, because God still loves. But it is okay to move on and accept what is..it is simply having the strength to say, its not worth the pain to keep accepting what is unacceptable.
I shared this quote the other day....and this is what will guide me this year, in 2021...
"Give, but don't allow yourself to be used. Love, but don't allow your heart to be abused. Trust, but don't be naive. Listen but don't lose your own voice."
You can put down the armor all the while you can guard your heart.
I read something the other day that said, "People may destroy your image, stain your personality, but no matter how they describe you, you will still be admired by those who really know you better."
I have to remember that. I have to remember that those that know me best are the vessels to allow my heart to stay protected. They are the ones that God has brought into my life to help me see he is working through them to work through me.
I have a circle.
You have a circle.
People will be in it, or out of it, and that is okay.
Just let it be....
We have to stop letting others control us.
We have to stop controlling others.
We are not the answer
God is.
You can not write your own story.
God can.
Just the same, you can not write someone else's story.
Only God can.
So, whatever happened in the year 2020 was exactly where God meant to take you.
Just the same...
Whatever happened in the year 2020 is exactly where God meant to take me.
So,
Find your strength.
Find your voice.
Find your happy.
Untie your hands, keep praying, and let him have control.
Learn to accept what is.
Learn to understand what is not.
Hindsight 20/20.
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