I like Mondays for starting projects and for new beginnings. I opened a new to me book this morning and the first chapter was on Mondays and new beginnings and I thought, there really could be no clearer sign that this is what I am supposed to be reading today…

I feel like a mess inside and out. I’m always running from one thing to the next without time to breathe, think, or even eat on most days. I know in my heart that this is just a season and it will not last forever and that I will miss it when it is over. I know I will one day miss everyone needing me, time spent on the go with my people, and all the little moments that go with it, but what I won’t miss is the rushing around, the being disorganized and unprepared, the feeling of my mind racing with endless to do’s, the feeling like I’m drowning, that I’m missing something, that life is slipping through my fingers…

This season is not over for a while, but I cannot continue at this pace. Before I shut off social media yesterday, I watched a reel with the sound off and read the captions. It was about slowing down and not trying to keep pace with the world that is always on the run. It delivered to me what I needed to see in that moment. It was a video of simplicity in life. I wanted to bottle that up. It seems like a such a far off dream, but what if it doesn’t have to be a dream? What if it can be a reality?

Like I said before, I love new beginnings, new projects, and even a Monday. It’s a new start to a new week. I can continue doing all the same things or I can make some changes. I’d like to pursue a simpler way of living. I’d like to pursue a peaceful home filled with faith, family, friends and not clutter and stuff. I’d like to pursue a life where I don’t compare people’s social media posts with my life. Our culture thrives on busy and complicated. I’d like to pursue what is counter cultural and that will be hard, but I have no doubt that it will bring me the greatest joy and peace. My goals are slowing down, living simple, and bringing it all back to family. My goals are simple because simple is what I want to pursue. Each day I will establish goals for the day and I will work to pursue them. This is not a riddle to solve or a self help manual. Rather it is a journey for me and a way to keep myself accountable by journaling the life I want to live. I suspect I am not alone in a lot of my feelings. Won’t you join me on this journey? I have no outline or bullet points. I’m not that organized of a writer. I’m just a writer who is feeling overwhelmed and is going to use this opportunity, this moment in time as my material to write about. Perhaps I’ll write for a month perhaps a year. I don’t know yet. But I’m excited to see where this road leads me.

Goals today- Do not over schedule. Exercise. Read a book. Have family dinner and family bible reading. Do a craft or a puzzle. Make space for family.

Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. Matthew 6:33

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened for you. Matthew 7:7

Heavenly Father I come to you on this Monday and I thank you for all you have blessed me with. Lord I know at times I am overwhelmed by my blessings and I know that’s not your plan for my life. You have the greatest plans for my life, far better than anything I can craft on these pages. I’ve been busy lately. So busy that I haven’t spent the time with you that I’d like. Lord I pray that you would help me to slow down and live a simple life. Lord you are the vine, you are my oxygen, you are the source of life and I can do nothing apart from you. Help me Lord to pursue this new beginning and to do it for the glory of God. In Jesus name amen.