As another year is coming to an end many of us start thinking about our goals for the new year. We start thinking of how we can improve our health, our financial stability, and our day-to-day life. Often we get so caught up in trying to think about how much better a new season will be that we forget to stay present in the moment.

I know I am so guilty of thinking about what is coming next, how much easier the next season will be as our kids get older and more independent, and how much better work will be if I just set new goals and work a little harder. But in reality, each season brings its own hardships. As the kids grow in independence, our struggles change, they don’t disappear. With four kids ages 6-13 I am pretty sure it never gets “easier”. I will never worry less about them. If anything, those worries get bigger with more at stake. As they become more independent, I lose the bit of control (or illusion of control) that I do have.

So for this upcoming year of 2024, my goals differ from usual. Instead of focusing on what is coming ahead, I am focusing on what is in front of me right now, in this moment. I am going to focus on what God is teaching me today. I am going to focus on how I am serving God today. I am going to focus on who my children are today. I am going to focus on what we are doing as a family today. I am going to focus on where God has placed me in my career and ministry today. I will make sure that I am not trying to strive but that I am actually thriving as a daughter of the king, a wife, and a mother.

Matthew 6:34 “Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (CSB)

~Megan