#restorerenewrecreate48

RESTORE – rec·re·at·ed, rec·re·at·ing. to refresh by means of relaxation and enjoyment, as restore physically or mentally. verb (used without object), rec·re·at·ed, rec·re·at·ing. to take recreation. To impart fresh life to; refresh mentally or physically.

RENEW –  to make like new : restore to freshness, vigor, or perfection

RECREATE – to give new life or freshness to

Another year – another chance to reflect on the past, plan for the future and take stock of what’s going on in life. It’s been a tough year in the world. So much division, so much unrest and uncertainty. Y’all, I’m tired. Physically and mentally of all of the drama that surrounds every dang thing in the news, on social media, just in general. My word for the year and last year and maybe the year before is content – and I full on struggle with this. I have a “pinterest board” ideal for the way things should go in a perfect world, what it would look like if all the of the things I think I’d like lined up. Of course I know it’s not realistic and I know that it’s not going to happen that way – and honestly much of it is not even God’s plan for me.

When we got covid back in September, it got my attention. I had been aware that my focus had been all over the place for months. We thankfully had mild cases and were able to treat it with vitamins, antibody infusions and recover within a couple of weeks. But it sparked in me an anxiety and unrest that I KNOW without a shadow of a doubt is from the enemy and is of the world and I want NO part of it. I’ve never been drawn to anxiety or fear that physically affected me. Sure, I’ve been nervous and imagined scenarios that have no real chance of occurring, but I think that’s common, especially as women (and mommas). This was keep me awake, belly hurting and shaking with anxiety stuff. I prayed over and over for God to cast the enemy out of my thoughts and give me peace. I told the enemy to flee that there was no place in my life for him. Here’s what I know – my focus has been on the wrong things – the things of this world – and it caught up with me.

For this year I’m focusing on restoring, renewing and recreating what I know to be Biblical truth in my life. I will be spending less time reading what others post on social media and more time on what God says is THE truth in my Bible. While I may not believe what some folks post – there is some serious craziness on the internet…it still makes a mark in my mind that I can allow to influence my thoughts even in a small way. I have unfollowed so many folks over the past year and half because I simply cannot support that kind of crazy in my bubble. I am resting in the fact that what is best of me and my family is to focus on the many aspects of being healthy, spiritually and physically, and tuning out the drama, unrest and turmoil the world wants me to focus on.

I am SO thankful for those in my life who support me and encourage healthy growth as I grow older. I often wish I had more social friends and things to do (like I see on Instagram and Facebook, bless!) but being thankful for those who God placed in my life to lead, guide and help direct me where it really matters is going to be key as I walk this road.

My first Bible verse to share on this journey is 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”