I am pretty sure almost every year on January 1st, I come up with a plan to somehow better myself. Whether that is to get in better shape, workout 3 days a week, read a book every week, eat only meat and veggies or whatever crazy idea it may be that I come up with. Well, by February that plan has already flown out the window. I will say the past three years since becoming a mom, I haven’t thought so much about my new year’s resolution or goals or plan to better myself. There just hasn’t been time…
Most of my thoughts right now are consumed by making sure our toddler snack selection is stocked with all the current months favorite selections, potty training, cooking, laundry, cleaning (I had no idea how messy potty training would really be), trying my best to be a good wife and mom and working full time. Anything after that is just really an afterthought or bonus at this point! It is a busy season, but a wonderful season and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
I don’t know where you find yourself this New Years season, but I am going to decide this year to do a couple of things. First off, I am going to take the pressure of a “New Years Resolution” off my mind. There isn’t time for a big, long, drawn out plan right now, there just isn’t. Second, I am going to do what I know. I know that I need to prioritize spending time in the Word and prayer. I know I need to prioritize my marriage and dating my husband. I know that I need to spend quality, intentional time with my three-year-old son. I know that I need to show up as my best self at work every day.
It is so easy to get caught up in the business of motherhood that we just let moments pass us by. This year, I want to savor each moment that I can. At the end of 2024, I want to look back and reflect over all the wonderful memories made, I want to look back and see how much I have grown in my faith and relationship with Jesus. I don’t want to look back and be filled with guilt and regret for everything I didn’t do or for another year of a New Years resolution that I didn’t finish.
My word for 2024 is intentional. I encourage you to take some time and pray and ask the Lord to show you what your one word for the New Year might be. Let’s take some pressure off our shoulders mama’s, let’s do what we know to do and let God give us the strength, grace, patience and perseverance to do the rest. He will do it. It is just who HE is!
Ashley McClain is a Wife to Bobby, Mom to Charlie, General Manager of CTN-WHTN Nashville and Host of – What If? Moments for Moms aired nationally on the Christian Television Network. Currently surviving on Grace and Coffee… lots and lots of Coffee.
