Happy New Year

Happy New Year shout out to all of For His Purpose readers!!

Thank you so much for the love, support, encouragement, and conversation I’ve witnessed through this blog. Never did I imagine when I started keeping a blog a few years ago that it would grow to over 500 ‘followers’…I hate using that term but for lack of better words I’ll let it fly today.

A quick fun-fact I praise God for is that in the almost 150 posts I’ve written there has been over 7,000 visitors to the blog and I have never, ever had one negative comment left on my blog…ever! It’s always been nothing but encouragement and thank you’s!

And for that I’m so incredibly grateful because you guys don’t understand how much it encourages me to write and then to have someone leave a comment saying those words blessed them in a remarkably relatable way! Praise be to God!! I’ve been through some tough times, much of which has spilled out in my posts — blogging has played a huge part in helping me heal and I’m thanking you along with Jesus for helping me make a message out of a mess!

Y’all are amazing!

One last thing that has been on my heart lately is that with any New Year always comes talk of New Year’s resolutions.

I set goals at this time of the year and what bothers me is that I feel I’m guilty of becoming narrowed in on a calendar date and if you’re like me you can relate to this…There’s something catchy and refreshing to grabbing hold of January 1st and thinking ‘now is the time to go all out, to strive for that expectation, to set the bar high and be all in.’ What happens, at times, is by the second or third week the “set-prize” somehow manages to lose its luster and suddenly dreams are crushed and goals are kissed goodbye.

I’m in need of some extra motivation. When the downward spiral starts to slide in and take away my plan or focus I want to be ready…and just maybe you get what I’m saying and can benefit too!

Here are a few tips I came up with to help keep us on track:

Share your goals with someone. It’s super sweet to have someone help hold you accountable. Whether it’s a year long Bible reading plan, healthier eating habits, an exercise program you want to tackle this year let someone help you build your passion.

Write it down, even daily if you need to. There’s something about writing words down and rereading them (daily) that is powerful.

Understand that foul-ups are gonna happen. Mouthwatering Cherry Cheesecake is gonna outclass a day of workout at times and that’s okay. When this happens just pick up where you left off…which leads me to my next tip and sort of the main point of my post:

If you come up with a random new goal on any given date…the 26th day of March or the 18th of November…whatever day it may be and you decide there’s a new goal you want in your life don’t waste another moment, don’t wait for the first of the year to come around. Start that hope-driven vision ASAP! Any day is as good as January 1st and it’s never too late to go for the goal.

We’ve got this!!

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. —Isaiah 41:10

Author: alimw2013

About For His Purpose~ My name is Alicia and I'm a thirty-something year old who loves Jesus. Only through God’s amazing grace and mercy I have been redeemed from past regret and shame. Reading His word has allowed me to look past Satan’s forceful lies, to see myself for who Christ says I am in Him. Through writing I have learned why I made the choices I made in my younger years and I now have a better understanding of why I desire to love God like crazy these days. Despite my daily failures, God remains faithful always. I am reassured of His unconditional love for me by every ink-drop spilled out on paper, each committed prayer as I cry out to Him, and deep understanding reflected through reading His word as truth. Yes keeping a blog will make me vulnerable to others’ opinions- there will be some who don’t understand, some who may criticize or judge, but on the other hand if just one piece expressed through my writing grabs someone’s attention and directs them to God, then pouring out my heart in a blog for the world to read is worth it. I choose to glorify Him alone through words streaming across a glowing screen. And it wouldn’t be fair if I didn’t reveal the fact that I’m incredibly quirky; I’m my loving husband’s best friend, my vivacious kids’ craziest cheerleader and spiritual trainer (3 John 1:4). I love anything farmhouse and rustic style. I think cupping a warm coffee mug in the palm of my hands is more satisfying than the contents within. I share a common obsession with my husband for the mountains, but I would (without a doubt) settle for waves crashing against my legs at the Atlantic Ocean just as well, and I almost always have a Yorkie curled up on my lap while writing. *All photos are photographed by forhispurpose.blog and therefore may not be stored or photocopied in any manner.

28 thoughts on “Happy New Year”

      1. You’re very kind! I’m really not sure at this point how to answer your comment, as I’m currently dealing with numbness which is concerning. Please pray for wisdom and guidance to what we should pursue next. Much love my friend. 🙏❤

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  3. Happy New year to you and your family Alicia! I rejoice with you about the number and positiveness you have received on your blog. It is well deserved! I enjoy your writing very much (and it’s been great getting to know you on the blogger chat)
    Pastor Chuck

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  6. Happy New Year! I love New Years but I definitely understand what you’re saying. I was thinking earlier today that I wish we could bottle the feeling of New Years Day and hang onto it all year. So thank you for these tips to help us stay motivated. 🙂

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