It's 2016! You all know what that means: time to pick our scripture of the year.
In 2013 we focused on fruits of the spirit: we got settled in our new home and started really building the life we wanted. 2014 was all about being steadfast: our business took off when we set our intentions properly. Last year we were determined to rejoice in each day: I'm proud of the lust for life we developed in spite of several health setbacks.
Speaking of health, Nate and I both agree that our hearts and minds haven't been in the healthiest place recently. We've seen so many wonders in this world, so many incredible things that make us yearn for MORE. It's that way of thinking, though, that's gotten us off-track. I find that while we are celebrating everything life has to offer, it's a worldly celebration. Getting wrapped up in external trappings is easy – not because we really need or even want them, but because they distract us from the challenge of looking at ourselves.
So this year's verse is simple. It's bringing the focus back to an internal place.
“Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you can discern God's will — what is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2
My focus has been intense, and I'm pleased with the fact that I've become a gentler person. The anger I used to feel in my heart is gone. Now, though, I want to fill it with a sense of peace. Peace not just in what's possible, but in what is.
We're getting a budget in place to be better examples for our children. We're doing our very best to avoid looking at the Joneses and hoping to fill our shortcomings with whatever it is they have.
We're trusting that this moment, this place we're in right now, is exactly where we are supposed to be.