The best is yet to come!

2014 brought some major life changes for me.  I spent a portion of the year in hospitals, lost my mother, planned a large wedding from out of state, got married, moved, started a new job, and bought a house.   After researching New Year’s resolutions and trying to narrow my ever-growing list of goals, I’ve decided to adjust my focus.

These are five areas I’ve decided to focus on this year:

1. Love & serve God.  
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and all his righteousness: and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33

I need to dig deeper & strengthen my relationship with God.  The Lord has been speaking to me about His plans for my life, and I need to plug-in deeper to understand what He wants me to do.  I feel led to be fearless starting this year.

I’m going to start the year off by reading Living Courageously by Joyce Meyer.  Her books are usually a quick read, but very informative.  Joyce experienced a lot of suffering in her early years in abuse & neglect.  She learned to change her mindset and focus on God.  Now she helps others do the same.


2. Honor my husband.
“With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:2-3

Married life has been anything but easy.  I love my husband a lot, but that hasn’t made life easier. Since the wedding in July, the hubby and I have been busy.  We’ve had a lot on our plates, and since things are slowing down (hopefully), I think we can make a better effort on focusing on our marriage.  God calls wives to honor their husbands, and husbands to love their wives.   I’m going to ensure that I honor him in our everyday activities even when it gets tough.

3. Take care of my body.
“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” 1 Corinthians 6:19

Yes, my body is not my own.  How would you treat your body if you thought of it as a temple with the Holy Spirit dwelling inside?  Throughout the business of the year, I’ve neglected my body.  My eating habits have been all over the place and I’ve worn myself  down until I was sick trying to do everything (currently catching a cold now, unfortunately).  I want to make a more conscious effort in deciding what I eat and drink, how I dress, how I take care of my hair and skin, and how I treat my body overall.  The Lord does not want us to be vain, but we are called to take care of the body we were given.  I’m going listen to my body and when I feel worn out or stressed, I will rest.

4. Be a good steward.  
“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Galatians 6:7 

I will focus on being more productive with my time, money, things, and energy.  I will continue to work hard to excel at work and in all of my educational endeavors.   My mother always preached the importance of having good organization.  I’m going to start  by re-organizing as I move into my new home and ensuring I take advantage of my new planner and calendars upfront.

5. Give back.
“I have shewed you these things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said it, It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20: 35 

I want to give back more this year.  Over the last half of 2014, I focused on helping family members with medical issues.  Other than God, work and school, I didn’t focus on much else.  I’ve seen so much love poured out to me this year that I want to pour back into the lives of others.

In addition to being there for my family,  I want to focus on helping those outside of my family & friends again.  I’m going to start with the things I’m passionate about like become a special advocate for children in foster care,  volunteering at the hospital, and blogging.

via Pinterest

Antonique