A new calendar year is upon us, and the invitation to do things differently at the start of the year were everywhere. Social media was full to the brim of new declarations and lists of resolutions. People were selecting a new meaningful word to focus on for the year, new eating and exercise habits have been pledged, and even Bible reading plan commitments. Making several changes all at once, attempting several new things at the same time, can (sometimes) be a recipe for disaster.
A month or so into the new year, how is all of the change really working out? Does anyone else feel that all of this newness and change in the middle of winter is counterintuitive? Look around at the nature God has created and what does it tell you? In many cases, things are hunkered down, hibernating, lying dormant, resting, and waiting. Overall, there aren’t yet signs of new life, as things are slow and still before the Creator. Many of us spend weeks prepping for Thanksgiving in November, then weeks preparing for Christmas in December–one hustle and bustle after another. Then, after all those weeks of business and doing and going, we place upon ourselves new restraints of do’s and don’ts in the new year.
We are not outside of God’s design. If we think about it, we have a natural inclination to want to do the slow things, to turn inward, to be warm, cozy and comforted, doing what is familiar during the winter season. With that in mind, I would like to encourage you to stay the course with what is working for your family. Do not jump into a million different new things simply because the calendar says January. Continue to build and fortify the routines and rhythms that are already working rather than stress and strain into something new. There is no reason to place an unnecessary burden upon yourself or your family because the world is screaming that it is January 1st and that you must.
On the other hand, remember that God is not bound by man’s time-keeping. This means that He may impress something new upon your heart at any time of the year because He transcends man’s time-keeping. Therefore, our proper response before Him is obedience. So, if something needs changing, why wait specifically until the new calendar year? Act when God says act, whether it be the new year or not.
The point is, don’t think you have to *find* something to change simply because it is a new year
Go ahead and use the slow days to lavish more love and warmth in your homes and homeschool. Do the indoor stuff like movie watching, crochet and sewing, building blocks, read-alouds, cuddles and snuggles, while eating the homemade breads, soups, and stews. Prayerfully plan for the next season, seeking God for His loving guidance. When spring arrives you are rested and ready to join in with the rest of God’s creation in celebrating the new life that is so profound all around.
