Eat Healthy

Lose Weight

Quit Smoking

Stop Drinking

Attend Church Regularly

Workout

Wake Up Early

Write A Book

Start A Business

I find that most people start the year with lofty goals. Even for those who’ve renounced resolutions, they still espouse some type of yearly focus or goal i.e. a word, theme or phrase to help guide their choices throughout the year.

At the end of 2014, I hosted a small vision board party (CLICK HERE for more on vision boards). A few friends, my daughter and myself sat around my dining room table loaded down with poster boards, a plethora of magazines, scissors, glue, stickers and more. I had such HUGE vision and wanted to not only SEE it represented visually but also to WRITE it out, that I didn’t complete a board but a book.

I delighted to see my daughter quickly put hers together, as she has a very clear picture of who she is and what she wants to accomplish. I smiled on the inside as I saw my cousin put the theme of marriage on hers as I vividly pictured her beautiful chocolate skin in a stark white gown. I nodded in agreement as I saw my bestie of 35+ years put changes related to work and moving on her board.

With guarded trepidation I wrestled over committing some of my images to the page. “Glue them on already!” I had to tell myself. I knew in my heart the images were things I did want to see manifest but what if they didn’t come to pass. What would that mean for me?

Would it say I was a failure?

Would it say I have no right to dream so big?

Would it demonstrate my shortcomings?

Would it expose my lack of faith?

In reflecting over the last year, I rejoicing in knowing that my 11-year-old daughter has lived the fulfillment of some of her vision. She has travelled to Texas and California with a competitive STEM team. She has spoken at the Department of Agriculture and at the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals annual convention. She has developed significantly in her flute playing and has just begun playing guitar. She was also voted student council vice-president.

I celebrate with my cousin for completing her Master’s in Divinity and landing a job that on paper she wasn’t qualified for. She travelled the country and grew emotionally and spiritually.

I give a shout of praise for my bestie for packing up and leaving all that was familiar and relocating out of obedience to Christ. I am in awe of her bravery to approach her job and outright ask for certain conditions and have had those requests granted.

Then I look back on my own 2015. It started with such great hope and promise. Dreams of writing a book, growing my brand and filling my speaking calendar.

Oh what dreams may come.

As I turn the pages on my vision book, it is difficult not to allow depression to reel me in. It is challenging to SEE the promise and feel like sand trickling through my fingers, that it’s not within my grasp. It takes ALL of the Jesus in me, to redirect these thoughts so that a toxic brew of self-condemnation doesn’t overtake me.

So how do you respond when you feel like your visions, goals and dreams for the year have not come to fruition?

So what do you do when the vision tarry’s?

What do you do when your vision is blurry?

You take your eyes off self and keep them focused on Jesus who is the Author and Finisher of your faith.

You remember the truth of His word that his promises are YES and AMEN.

You remember that indeed there is a time and place for everything under the heavens.

For the vision is yet for an appointed time;

But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.

Though it tarries, wait for it;

Because it will surely come,

It will not tarry.

Habakkuk 2:3

You vigilantly stand armed with TRUTH as to ward off the lies that the enemy wants to recite over and over and over in your head.

There is therefore now no condemnation

to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do

not walk according to the flesh, but according

to the Spirit.

Romans 8:1

We also have to grant ourselves some grace for crying out loud. We can be our toughest critics. While my speaking calendar for 2015 was not FULL and my book was not completed, I did have several speaking engagements. I did write and facilitate a 5-week course on Honoring The Temple. I was the healthiest I’ve ever been. I was the fittest I’ve ever been. I may have read more books in 2015 than I’ve read in any other single year. I did write and nearly finish a book. I did minister to the hearts of my children. I did support my husband as he grappled with the loss of his brother. I did pack up my children and drive hundreds of miles run to my father’s aid as he suffered loneliness. I did minister to the women I’ve been called to lead in the women’s group for which I serve as director. And in 2015 I also managed to have a womb that was ripe and ready to produce new life. Yup! Kingsland Baby #6 is growing in that secret place as I type these words.

It is with the MIND that one thinks, decides and acts. And we’ve been assured that we have a sound mind.  So I will focus my mind on TRUTH and think, decide and act according to what HE instructs me to do.

And finally, we can rest in knowing that with man things may seem impossible but with GOD nothing is impossible.

For nothing will be impossible with God.

Luke 1:37

So my friends I rejoice over the possibility that 2016 holds. I am listening attentively to hear, and looking to Him to see what wondrous things He has planned for me this year. I already see that what “I” would have planned for 2016 has already been altered. But I yield, surrendering my will for the will of Him who orders my steps.

His Will. His Way.

I pray your 2016 is off to a great start. I pray your year is filled with the blessed assurance that Christ is indeed Lord over all and that His love for you is immeasurable and that with Him all things are possible.

What is your vision for 2016? Do you have resolutions, goals or a word that will direct your goals for this year?  I’d love to hear about it.

As always, it is my prayer that you’ve been Inspired To Live Fully!
Happy to connect with these friends sharing the Good News Purposeful Faith, Mommy Moments, Words With Winter