With the new year comes a conscious effort to try something new. I don’t refer to them as “resolutions” because that seems so regimented. According to Merriam-Webster, resolution by definition means “the act of finding an answer or solution to a conflict or problem.” I prefer to look at January as a chance to broaden my horizons, with a new slate wiped clean to start fresh and grow as a person, rather than checking something off my list.
This year, I am working on spending more time with God. Reading, praying, being thankful, slowing down to focus on goodness that surrounds me, instead of focusing on the negative or how fast the days seem to fly. There are so many resources out there, that it can be overwhelming for someone who is learning to know more about God’s word. Opening your Bible can even seem daunting. So, I am sharing just a few helpful resources to help get you started.
First, is Lysa TerKeurst. The President of Proverbs 31 Ministry, Lysa is real, down-to-earth, and easy to understand. Her website offers inspiration and free resources. When you sign up for their emails, you get cool stuff like “3 Bible Study Basics You Must Know” from her book Becoming More Than A Good Bible Study Girl.
Ann Voskamp. If you follow me you know she is one of my favorite authors. One Thousand Gifts is a beautiful journey Ann shares on how she took one year of her life to count and journal one thousand reasons she was thankful — from jam on hot toast to the love of her husband and everything in between. It’s a reminder of how we should be thankful for even the smallest of gifts.
Her website A Holy Experience has a free library of resources — from artwork, to gift tags, to journal sheets. It’s worth exploring.
Lastly, Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence by Sarah Young. After Earnie passed away, I was going through her things and found a copy sitting right next to her chair along with her Bible and eye glasses. I wish I had known how dedicated she was to reading her Bible everyday. When I sat down to flip through her copy of Jesus Calling, I couldn’t believe it. The daily passages seemed to be written just for me. Everyday, I would read it, God knew exactly what I was thinking and the message before me was perfect for that day. I think every person who owns Jesus Calling would tell you the same thing.
Spending time with God, even for just a few minutes a day, will change your life. I promise.
Hospitality is in my DNA. I founded Home with a Twist, a daughter’s twist on her mother’s traditions, in memory of my mother to celebrate her life and the gifts she shared with me. Mother loved to celebrate life’s occasions – big and small.
