If you are crawling into 2020 with just enough energy to wave the white flag, I hear you. For over a decade, I’ve looked forward to the beginning of a new year. A fresh start. A time to dream big and dedicate my year to change. Limping my way into 2020 has a different vibe.
OVERCOMER. I had high hopes. Things would be resolved and I would overcome many obstacles in my path, relationships would be restored, and big dreams realized.
The first half of the year was hopeful. Plans were set in motion, lists were written, and adventures were waiting. Then something shifted over the summer and as the school year started. Our rhythm was off. We couldn’t get into a good routine for the school year. Maybe it was the overwhelm of the 30 doctor appointments we average a month. Or perhaps it was getting our son off to college. Or the constant health issues or battling the insurance company. Or organizing a grand scale fundraiser for our son’s service dog.
Whatever it was, my groove was thrown off these past few months. I don’t feel that I finished the year strong. Overcomer seems like a long-forgotten dream. The lessons I’ve learned this year are not wasted. God has used every single challenge to remind me of His goodness.
Peace for 2020
If you are feeling beat up, worn out, tired, or just weary of the everyday woes, you can find good company here. The trials that have come our way in 2019 don’t seem to be leaving anytime soon. With so much underlying stress and static on the line, there is an inherent desire to quiet the chaos.
I am looking for a simpler, calm to my days and persevere without the fanfare. I am pursuing peace this year.
Peace in relationships. Peace in our family. Peace in my work. Peace for unspoken prayers. Peace for the unavoidable challenges. Peace with God. Peace for Haiti.
God’s Word about Peace
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NIV)
“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.” (Psalm 4:8 NIV)
“Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” (Psalm 34:14 NIV)
“Consider the blameless, observe the upright; a future awaits those who seek peace.” (Psalm 37:37 NIV)
“A time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.” (Ecc. 3:8 NIV)
“My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.” (Is. 32:18 NIV)
“You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.” (Is. 55:12 NIV)
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27 NIV)
As I meditate on these words, I welcome the calm quiet that peace offers. I slip into 2020 without an overconfident manifesto. Instead, I’m slowly crawling into this new space and sitting in the back of the room quietly contemplating a new year.
My One Word of Years Past
Do you choose a word or goals for the year? I wrote about My One Word last year HERE, 2018’s post HERE, 2017’s recap HERE, or hear about how 2015 inspired 2016 HERE.
- 2010: SIMPLIFY
- 2011: TRUST
- 2012: DISCERN
- 2013: INTENTIONAL
- 2014: LISTEN
- 2015: FOCUS
- 2016: LIVE
- 2017: REST
- 2018: STRENGTH
- 2019: OVERCOMER
- 2020: PEACE
I like your humble admission that things didn’t go to plan. I like how you chose a word that fits where you are now and what you need. My word for the year is Planting. I’m in a stage of preparation, but I am waiting for the future harvest.