Today my friend Ivette showed me a picture of her pretty planner for January. She had written in goals, made concrete plans, and even added colorful stickers. Her January plans are a masterpiece.

She asked me if I’d started planning for the New Year, and I acknowledged having taken a long look at the year ahead with my husband as we sat on either side of the kitchen counter and attempted to figure out when we will make room for the people we love. Even if they don’t show up. We have them on our calendar.

A girl can plan, but she can’t control Providence and corral pesky relatives. It’s not possible. Trust me, I’ve tried and failed miserably.

Just because I write something on my calendar, doesn’t mean it’s going to happen. Maybe that’s why at some point after that hurricane in September, I just stopped writing in my calendar. (Please don’t tell Ivette that I didn’t plan for the last 3 months of this crazy year. Let’s keep that our little secret.)

I’m looking back at my year, and I am wondering where it went. Somewhere between the 4th of July BBQ and Halloween, I lost my precious grip on my life.

So, currently, the laundry from two weeks ago is sitting in my dining room. Last week’s load is still in the dryer. I haven’t paid the bills, and I never did find the Christmas cards.

And on top of that, I didn’t get what I wanted for Christmas. I am not talking about the presents under the tree. I am talking about the people at my table, and the painful empty spot where unmet expectations punctured my heart.

People will disappoint you.

Carefully laid plans are upended, and you have to clean up the messy.

I want to leap into the New Year, but I feel weighed down by the “what ifs” and “should haves.”

I’m limping in the worst way.

Maybe you can relate? I don’t know what you are dragging behind you like a dead limb as we close out this year, but I am guessing I am not the only one with a wobbly walk. If you feel like you can’t take another step without a little assistance, you are not alone.

Yesterday, I spent the afternoon resting — because when you are limping, it’s good to put your feet up and stop trying to drag unbearble weight. I knew I needed renewal. Healing never comes when you insist on running ragged.

As I poured over the pages of a wonderful book, I came across a passage of Scripture that soothed my spirit. I marked it down, and today I spent time sitting with it. For anyone who may be limping along, I wanted to share the therapeutic treatment it outlined.

How to Limp Forward into the New Year

Build Up Your Faith in Community

Jesus walked through life with friends as an example to us. If you are feeling alone, go up to the altar on Sunday and ask for prayer.  Join a small group. Pick up the phone and let someone know you are struggling. Look out for other limpers and link arms to encourage one another. Share Scriptures that lift you up and help you put feet to your faith on hard days. Don’t isolate yourself.  

“But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith…” (Jude 1:20, NLT)

Pray for God’s Spirit to Guide You

When Jesus was preparing to go through His most difficult hour, He took time to quiet his heart before God and cry out from the depths to the One who would sustain Him. Prayer is our offensive weapon when this broken world knocks us down and tries to destroy us. Even if you can’t form the words, you can look up to heaven and groan in despair — the Holy Spirit will know exactly what you need and comfort you. Ask for divine assistance.

“…pray in the power of the Holy Spirit…” (Jude 1:21),

Guard God’s Love in your heart

Remind yourself that Jesus is returning for you — His radiant bride. He loves you sacrificially and is fighting for you every moment of this day. He will restore you fully.  

“Guard and keep yourselves in the love of God; expect and patiently wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Messiah,—which will bring you unto life eternal.” (Jude 1:21, AMPC)

Right now, I am limping. But God has promised to hold me up. He will never let me fall if I cry out to Him. All I need to do is take one tiny step of faith forward into the new year. So I’ve done a few things to get started. I signed up for the women’s Bible study at church, and I am determining to spend more time in my Bible and less time on social media. I’ve also created a Pray Big Calendar for January — just one simple sentence prayer a day offered up to God.

Friend, you don’t have to plan for 365 days right now. You just need to drag yourself one pinky toe forward in God’s direction. He will do the rest.

To help you get started, I’m sharing a copy of My Pray Big Prayer Calendar with you. Sign up today as a member of the Wildfire Faith Community and  grab a copy in our Faith Fuel Library. Print out your copy and start each morning inviting God to strengthen your step and breathe fresh wind into your weary spirit.  

As we link arms together, lift our hearts up to God, and look for His mercy, healing will come. Our step will grow stronger, and although we may still limp as we walk through life, we will see God’s hand holding us up and find hope to stay the course.

Let’s Chat: How are you limping toward the new year? What encourages you to keep moving forward? I’d love to pray for you (and know that I am not alone!). Share below or send me an email.

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AN INVITATION:
I’m inviting 20 women to join me for Encouragement and Accountability in the new year.  I’ve chosen 10 life-changing books for us to read together. Read all the details and sign up here.

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