YOU CAN DO IT!!!

Sometimes it's difficult following through with a goal we have set. We look at the times we have failed in the past and worry that we won’t succeed. It’s easy to encourage our children to overcome their fears, to take their first steps, go to school, ride a bike. So why are we as adults ever afraid of the unknown?

I didn't think I was setting New Year's Resolutions this year. I much preferred the idea of just leaving something behind in 2014. My writers group had an assignment to write about what we weren't going to carry with us into the year 2015. Somehow that seemed like a bigger goal than making resolutions I knew I wouldn't keep. So, I wrote my anthem.... Goodbye Fear Farewell, So long It's been real But I'm moving on Paralysis, anxiety It ends here I welcome a life free from you In this beautiful New Year! Failure, come what may I'll try my best It's better than standing idle So put me to the test The only way to let you go Is to simply move So watch me now, I'm free at last, Doesn't matter if you approve Just like I tell my daughter, "There's nothing you can't do", Now's my opportunity, I'll show her, & make dreams, come true!!

I thought my work was done. No need to make resolutions, until this morning at 4am when I was once again being woken by a sweet little voice screaming 'Mommy!!!" You know that cry, the pathetic one, then the angry one, then the hurt one.

We had been doing well with our son sleeping through the night, until the holidays hit. Maybe he's teething, maybe it was the fact we weren't home in our house for him to sleep in his own bed but somehow he's waking up throughout the night and his constant crying has worn me down. From the other room, my heart was breaking. If I rush to his side to comfort him, will he know he can fall asleep all by himself? Because he can and he will, he just needs to learn he can do it on his own. As that thought crossed my mind, I instantly thought of the way our Heavenly Father must look at us sometimes. We want Him to rush to our sides and often immediately fix the situation or give us exactly what we want at the moment we want it but if He was to do that, which He could, we wouldn't learn that we are equipped and capable. So, I paused by my bedroom door, right there, patiently waiting for my son to stop crying, the same way I'm sure Our Heavenly Father waits for us. When the crying continued, I went to his side, laid him back down and stroked his face until he calmed down and fell back asleep. While I stood there, I thought about how the Light of the World sees us in our darkness and tells us, "don't worry, little one, there's nothing to fear, things aren't always what they seem, no need to be scared."

Sometimes, we don't get there overnight. We have a goal and it's work to get to the finish line. A night of crying may be involved... maybe several nights, but we know in the end, it will all be good because He is in control and He tells us, "I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jer 29:11 Whatever your goals are for 2015... You can do it!! Our Father taught us, "I can do All Things through Christ, who gives me strength." Phil 4:13 It's not that you can just do some things or the things that you're good at... ALL things - anything your heart desires. Remember..."Delight in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4

What do you fear that's holding you back from being all that God created you to be and what will you let go of today to live freely in Him?

#psalm374 #phil413 #jer2911 #newyearsresolutions