Well friends, 2014 is officially here.  And after traveling to Lake Leelanau, Detroit and East Lansing and hosting 2 dinner parties all in the past 2 weeks, I’m ready for life to start getting back to a normal pace.  I am also ready for focus on things ahead.

I have never been one for New Year’s resolutions though.  I suppose it’s really more of a fear of failing at them, which most people do.  So rather than concurring my fears, I tend to just avoid them.  Which right now, I fully intend to continue doing.  You see, a couple months ago I thought that if I blogged about my goals for the month, it would help me stay accountable.  That didn’t work either.  I was purposely vague about them (rather than making them specific and attainable as I have been taught in all my business classes) and I just disappointed myself, in the end feeling more like a failure.

So on that note, I’ve been trying to figure out how to approach 2014, both personally and professionally.  I still haven’t figured it out.  However, on Sunday we had a guest speaker at our church and I think he had some great insights on the New Year.  Here’s what he had to say:

Overcoming your Three Greatest Challenges in the New Year

1.  There will be storms to survive.

The New Year will provide new challenges.  Some of those might be left over from last year and some may be completely out of the blue and brand spanking new.  But either way, God is with you.  With Him, you can weather the storm.  The key is to keep your eye on the provider, the one who can calm the wind and the waves, rather than focusing on the problem, or the storm itself.

2.  There will be mountains to climb.

Instantly when he said this the first thought that came to mind was “no hill for a stepper” – which is a ridiculous saying that I have heard come out of my mother’s mouth time and time again.  But there’s some truth there.  Take one step at a time making your way to the top.  It might be a slow journey, but you can make it.  God is for you!  When God looks at you, he can see your full potential.  Have faith that through Him you can do all things.

3.  There will be battles to fight.

God is fighting for you.

“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all the generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21.

Our minds are so little and cannot even comprehend all the God is able to do.  Do you ever wonder if God finds our simple requests silly and is up there having a good chuckle?  Nevertheless, He will fight for you.  The outcome might not be exactly what you had planned, but that’s okay.  I think He has His eye on a bigger picture.

I know there will be surprises along the way and challenges on the road ahead.  However, I’m having faith that there is a greater plan and better things yet to come in 2014.

Happy New Year!

The beautiful bouquet above was created by yours truly this fall and photographed so beautifully by Bradley James Photography.

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