Post Holiday Rush: The Return to Normal
Today marks the first day of a new year and the last day of my holiday vacation. For me, the turn of the year does not fill my head with possibilities for resolutions or do-overs but instead becomes a marathon race to return to normal. The glitz of Christmas red and green are quieted, Nativity sets and holiday decor are wrapped and carefully stored for another year. Scents of pine and sugar cookies are replaced by lemon dusting polish, clean linens, and fresh snow. Food indiscretions are cleaned out — all evidence is gone except the obvious rolls around my waistline. Healthy lunches are packed for the week and my work computer is powered up for the tasks ahead—Normal.
My return to normal, rather than the season's peace and joy, waves the checkered flag and the race begins. If I am not careful, not intentional, I will begin the crest to the new year exhausted—Normal.
How do I keep my heart from jumping on the raceway this first day and every day of this new year? Rather than focusing on the raceway, I resolve to focus daily on God. To keep my eyes fixed on Jesus. To fuel my soul first.
Resolutions like goals are supposed to be specific and measurable. My resolution is specific, but the pathway to achieve and measure the end result has to remain flexible. Otherwise, I feel like I am back on that raceway with the finish line looming further out of my grasp. Every miss and failure measured.
My one fixed plan to keep my heart and life from being sidelined is time with God first thing every day. I started a new practice at the end of this last year, rather than just reading Scripture, I copy what I read. There is something about holding a pen to paper and writing the Word that has a way of imprinting it on my heart. I have a number of devotional blogs and books that help me to focus my thoughts or bring new light to Scriptures. I listen to podcasts of sermons or of the Bible being read aloud. I spend time in prayer and I take time to listen to what God may want to speak into my life — more than just fuel; a feast for my weary soul. I not only attend church, I serve at my church and I fellowship with my church family.
I may not always get it right. In fact, I downright fail, often. But at the end of every single day of every single year, I want my Normal to be a reflection of my God-directed, Jesus-focused life. Then and only then, can I love well, serve well, and keep from losing all of my traction the first time around the track. I can finish the race well. I can redefine my Normal.
In this post-Christmas Rush start of a new year, I pray that you too will find a pace and a practice that fuels your soul —Normal.
My return to normal, rather than the season's peace and joy, waves the checkered flag and the race begins. If I am not careful, not intentional, I will begin the crest to the new year exhausted—Normal.
How do I keep my heart from jumping on the raceway this first day and every day of this new year? Rather than focusing on the raceway, I resolve to focus daily on God. To keep my eyes fixed on Jesus. To fuel my soul first.
Resolutions like goals are supposed to be specific and measurable. My resolution is specific, but the pathway to achieve and measure the end result has to remain flexible. Otherwise, I feel like I am back on that raceway with the finish line looming further out of my grasp. Every miss and failure measured.
My one fixed plan to keep my heart and life from being sidelined is time with God first thing every day. I started a new practice at the end of this last year, rather than just reading Scripture, I copy what I read. There is something about holding a pen to paper and writing the Word that has a way of imprinting it on my heart. I have a number of devotional blogs and books that help me to focus my thoughts or bring new light to Scriptures. I listen to podcasts of sermons or of the Bible being read aloud. I spend time in prayer and I take time to listen to what God may want to speak into my life — more than just fuel; a feast for my weary soul. I not only attend church, I serve at my church and I fellowship with my church family.
I may not always get it right. In fact, I downright fail, often. But at the end of every single day of every single year, I want my Normal to be a reflection of my God-directed, Jesus-focused life. Then and only then, can I love well, serve well, and keep from losing all of my traction the first time around the track. I can finish the race well. I can redefine my Normal.
In this post-Christmas Rush start of a new year, I pray that you too will find a pace and a practice that fuels your soul —Normal.
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