I don’t choose a word every year.  In fact, this may be the first time I’ve chosen one at all.  But, as I heard and read stories of people’s decision for 2023, the word “progress” resonated in my spirit.  

One definition of progress is forward or onward movement towards a destination.  One of my progressive goals is movement toward consistent blog posting.  Last year, it was January 11^th before I got my first post up.  This year I am already 5 days later than that and yet to have published a post for January.  Not exactly the forward progress I envisioned.  Y’all pray for me. 

Lest you think I’m building up to the perfect pity party, stay with me.  I’m not.  I am a member of an online writing group.  I was inspired this past week when I read one writer’s confession of already having a writing meltdown this year after starting out strong with goals in hand.  She reminded us that “we can’t pour from an empty cup and there is no better way to fill our pen than to spend time with the One we inspire most to write about.”

To me, this says whenever we feel stalled in our progress for whatever reason, we need only turn to the one whose strength we profess.  Remember Ecclesiastes 9:11. The race is not given to the swift or the strong but to the one who endures to the end.  There will be times when we move quickly towards our destination and other times when progression will come not quite as fast.  However, as long as we can keep moving, we can keep progressing. 

I don’t know if today will find you reflecting on last year’s accomplished or unaccomplished goals, wondering if you will reach this year’s goals or too afraid of failure to even set a goal. But, wherever you are, my message to you is the simple encouragement to keep moving.  No matter how you think you have fared these first 16 days, as of this writing, right now, you still have 349 days of progression left.

While you won’t get it right every time, you can be sustained each day with the words of Lamentations 3:22-23a.  Because of the Lord’s great loved, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning. That means you get another chance every day. Today is always the first day of the rest of your life. 

Keep Living.  Keep moving.  

Be Blessed,

Shelia