I love the fresh start of a new year, don't you? I love how it causes us to reflect on how to live better and get energized about new goals.

So when I heard Lara Casey say, "There's nothing magical about January 1st," I thought, "Well that's a downer!"

But then I fell in love with the wisdom behind it.

Hear me out.

First of all, we're a month in to 2020! Did you set goals or intentions for the year? I'd love to know, what are they and how are they going!?

Maybe you started the year with guns blazing and you're crushing your goals. Get it girl! You're a beast and I applaud you.

But raise your hand if 2020 is already kicking your butt.

*quickly raises both hands like the teacher's pet in the first row*

I carefully laid out plans to begin 2020 (my first full calendar year in business) from a place of rest, with a strategic mindset, ready to tackle some big dreams. And then, like many of you, the darn cold/flu season hit our house and took us down for weeks with scary fevers, annoying infections, and no sleep to be had. Gosh darnit and heck.

Once again God is having to aggressively say, "Slow down, you are not in control."

We've been through this one before.

After a few anxious days of mentally scrolling my to do list, trying to work around the sickness and lack of sleep, I finally gave in to this change of plans. I spent almost two weeks doing nothing but rotating from couch to bed to nursery glider with my fevered son snuggled on my chest, because getting him (and myself) healthy became priority numero uno (don't think for a second I did this alone - my husband and his immune system of steel took care of both of us like a champ!).

I had to take a deep breath, release my grip and set my best laid plans aside, and thank God that I am not in control. We don't have to carry that weight, He will. We don't have to have it all together. Wherever we lack, He will fill in the gaps. Whenever we feel behind, we must remember that His timing is perfect. His plans are always greater.

So instead of coming down on yourself or your circumstances about falling behind, or failing before you even start (yes, my brain is dramatic)...

Let. it go. and be where your feet are.

There's nothing magical about January 1st.

We don't get just one chance to do better. It's not all or nothing.

Take your original plans and sprinkle them with grace.

2020? I'm pressing the reset button.

This year, January 29th (that's today ;) ) is just as magical as January 1st.

Start fresh with me. Each day we get a new chance!

We are not behind, we are right where He wants us to be.

So let's take little imperfect steps of progress forward.

5 minutes of squats is better than no workout at all. A few pages of reading will eventually get you to the end of the book.

Progress is progress, no matter how small.

And girl, you can make progress!

So how can I encourage you forward? Hit reply and let me know ;)