It’s the end of the year and I’ve set my eyes on this one thing: to finish strong.
I’ve written about it. I’ve coached clients on it. I’ve preached it to myself.
Just one slight problem. It’s not working.
That may not be the full truth.
Perhaps, a more accurate way to put it is that finishing strong doesn’t look the way I expect.
You see, it’s been a long, hard year. It’s been a year of false starts, of picking up and going again, of grieving losses of all sorts. Hard stuff, I tell you.
And if I had my way, I just might wish this year away.
But God in all His wisdom is whispering a different story.
In His eyes, this year has beauty right there in the middle of the mess.
So, I’m not sure why I’m surprised with this new take on finishing strong. The signs were there all along.
It began with one word.
A word so powerful (dreadful?) that I dared not repeat it.
Very few people knew my word for the year. And those who did, kinda laughed. ‘Cause they knew.
They knew that this word would leave me different from when I first picked it up. These wise souls and close friends knew that, if I let it, this word would transform me from the inside out.
If I let it.
But I’m a stubborn one.
And I kept pushing. Pushing that word away. Courting it just enough to give it lip service but never ever grasping the full meaning.
It helped that I didn’t make it public.
I didn’t have to explain it or justify my actions. I could just let the word sit outside while I pretended that I would welcome it in. But I didn’t.
My inner ‘I-gotta-do-something-important’ girl resisted that word with all the fight she had.
Up until November I was still pushing hard. Striving. Doing. Making things happen.
But God wouldn’t let me off the hook that easily.
Even at the 11th hour (11th month) He kept calling me back to that one.little.word.
Rest.
Just rest.
How hard could it be, right?
Well, now I know. It’s been near impossible.
But God’s not done with me yet. Neither is my word.
That’s why in order to finish strong this year I need to rest.
That one little word that I resisted all year long has come to my rescue.
And God knows I needed it.
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Matthew 11:28-29
So, as I step back and rest, I’ll be taking a break from writing over the next couple of weeks. Before I go, I’m sharing some resources to keep you encouraged and inspired.
I don’t know what it means for you to finish strong this year, but I pray these will bless you in some way.
Finish Strong
Mountain Moving Prayers
Follow along as my dear friend, Deb Wolf shares daily prayers in her Counting My Blessings series called Mountain Moving Prayers. You can find the first installation here or just go to her home page to find today’s prayer. This is a powerful, Spirit-filled way to finish strong!
5-Day Grace Challenge
Need a little extra grace to finish strong? Check out Nicki Schroeder’s free 5-day grace challenge. It’s free printables, Bible worksheets, Scripture card and printable art to glorify Jesus in the middle of your busy, beautiful life! Sign up for the free challenge here.
365 Days of the Names of God
Elizabeth Spencer over at Guilty Chocoholic Mama just started a new devotional on the names of God. What better way to finish the year strong than by focusing on God’s amazing attributes, right? Join Elizabeth on the Guilty Chocoholic Mama Facebook Page or on her blog to read the latest devotional. They’re short, sweet and they point you straight to God!
Stress LESS Free Email Course
Maybe like me you need to take a chill pill. (That’s so old school but that’s how much I need it and maybe you do too.) Gina Poirier’s new course will help you identify lies, know your limits and guess what? Rest! As a certified stress management coach Gina knows her stuff. So, head on over to Stress LESS Free Email Course if you need this now!
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Tweet ThisIs your quest to finish strong leading you to set goals for the upcoming year? Check out some of my favorite goal-setting resources to get you on your way.
Grace Goals
Developed by my first blogging mentor, Arabah Joy, Grace Goals is a workbook and planning guide to help you set goals and experience true transformation in 2019. This year’s edition even includes a bonus live workshop and Spiritual Disciplines & Growth Binder. Can you tell that I’m proud to be an affiliate for Grace Goals?
Spark Success Goals Planner
This is by far my most popular resource here at SunSparkleShine. I first created it in 2016 to accompany Grace Goals and since then it’s become my number one stand alone goal-setting resource. More than just a one year planner, the Spark Success Goals Planner will set you up for an amazing year and help you finish strong every time.
One Word 365
Earlier, I mentioned my word for the year. Well, over at One Word 365, you can get lots of inspiration to help you choose your one word; plus a community to cheer you on.
There’s no shame in my game. I’m (finally) following the call to rest! That’s my version of finishing strong.
How about you?
Have you chosen to finish strong? If so, I’d love to hear what that looks like for you. Join the conversation in the comments.
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Wishing you blessings,
Looking for more encouraging and inspiring content? Check out these amazing sites where I link up my weekly posts.
Thanks for sharing these resources, Marva!
Rest was definitely a brave choice, Marva. But what an act of faith and surrender! My word was mystery, and it’s still much of a mystery to me. God showed up in unexpected ways. I expected no less from him. 🙂
I am right there with you! This has been a very hard year, full of assault after assault. Rest is in order, sis!
I pray that your time of rest with Father God blesses you, uplifts you, encourages you and heals your weary soul.
Thank you so much for that beautiful prayer, Holly. And I think you’re right: rest is in order! I suspect it is for you too.
Be blessed as you rest. 🙂
YEEEESSS Marva! I think of the song stand and the end of the verse on the armor of God, “and having done everything, to stand.”
I tell my athletes that the gains can only come as a result of all your hard work during the rest days.
Brittany, I love the perspective you bring to this. Rest has such an important place — it’s too bad it gets such a bad wrap.
Blessings to you, my friend. And all the best for this Advent season.
I know what you mean, it is like I have stood, prayed, stood some more and taken lots of hits but I’m back to rest too, it means I trust Him to take care of it.
That’s really what it comes down to, doesn’t it? Whether or not we trust God to take care of all the thing? Thanks for reminding me to keep things in perspective, Rebecca.
I’ve appreciated your faithful encouragement this past year and wish you nothing but the best in 2019!
Oh, I love this, Marv! And I love watching how God works through one little word He places on our hearts. Turns out- He always knows best. Thanks also for pointing us to such inspiring resources. Blessings, my sister. I’m right here alongside you as you finish strong.🙂💕
Thank you for being patient with me when I just didn’t get it. God was using you all along and I’m grateful.
Hugs to you, my sister. And blessings too!