How to Celebrate...January
How to Celebrate … January!
“We will open the book.
Its pages are blank.
We are going to put words on them ourselves.
The book is called opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day.”
— Edith Lovejoy Pierce
Well … here we go! Ready or not … here comes 2021!
Although every day holds new opportunities to embrace, fresh ideas to ponder and the prospect of becoming the person you have always wanted to be, there is just something about the very first day of a brand new year that stimulates all of us to live with unmatched gusto!
January is the perfect month to set distinct goals and to prayerfully consider the 365 days that lie ahead!
January is the ideal time of year to ponder who you are and more importantly … who you would like to become.
January is the optimum moment in one’s life to evaluate relationships, habits and daily disciplines so that not one more day … week … month … or year is wasted in the swamp of non-direction.
If you could only accomplish one thing this year … what would it be?
Would you read your Bible every day?
Would you lose a wheelbarrow of unwanted weight?
Would you spend more time in prayer?
Would you work on a particular relationship?
What would you do?
Would you plant a garden of flowers in your backyard?
Would you write a book or compose a song?
Would you go back to school?
Would you get out of debt?
Do you have a plan for 2021? What is that one mountain you want to climb this year?
Do you want to change jobs?
Do you want to run a marathon? A 5-K? Walk every day?
Do you want to finally take that incredible trip that you have dreamed about for years?
Do you want to be a foster mom?
Do you want to start a business?
Do you want to go on a missions’ trip?
What is your “just one thing” for 2021? Would you write it below and then share it with me in an e-mail? You can write to me at carol@carolmcleodministries.com.
If you are brave enough, you can share it with the entire The Joy Life Facebook group here.
My “just one thing” for 2021 is:_______________________________________________
“What a wonderful thought it is that some of the best days of our lives haven’t even happened yet.”
Now that you have decided what it is … go get it! Pray about it! Read books about it! Tell others about it who will hold you accountable!
When you climb the mountain of impossibility, you are sure to need His strength on the days that you are weakest. Tell your loving Father exactly what you need and ask Him to give it to you.
Remember that this is not a sprint but it is a marathon. Every day, when you wake up, talk about your “just one thing” with the Lord and ask Him to empower you … to guide you … and to give you His strength.
You and God make a great team!
“Everyone is a reader … some just haven’t found their favorite book yet!”
As you know, I have many addictions in life and reading is one of them! Oh! How I love to crack open the spine of a newly-purchased book, smell the wonder of fresh ink on the pages and settle in to make new friends, learn a new lesson or to lose myself in the story of others.
A scripture that I have often pondered in my quest for joy is this one:
“He who walks with wise men will himself be wise.” – Proverbs 13:20
In past years, I discovered that my thoughts took me places like this:
“Well … if I could just ask Billy Graham … or Mother Teresa … or Elisabeth Elliot about that issue perhaps I would be wiser or more joyful!”
“I just wish that I could spend time with Joyce Meyer … or Christine Caine … or Priscilla Shirer. Certainly if those women were my friends I would think and process my life differently.”
And then one day I realized that I can indeed walk with people whom I respect and that I admire! I can walk with them as I read their wise words written in the form of books.
I especially appreciate it when one of my friends, who also understands the value of a good book, takes the time to recommend the books that have enlarged his or her life.
When I am down, a rich devotional can pick me up.
When I am confused, a well-thought out book is able to point me in the right direction.
When I need strength, a compelling biography can empower me.
When I feel alone, the believable characters in a book become dear friends.
“No man can be called friendless who has God and the companionship of good books.”
May I share with you some of my favorite books for the days and months that lie ahead of you? This list certainly is not a complete list of wealthy reading, but each book will leave an investment of joy, hope and wisdom in the blank pages of 2021.
Devotionals for the Year:
“Streams in the Desert” by Mrs. Charles E. Cowman
“My Utmost for His Highest” by Oswald Chambers
“Until the Day Breaks and the Shadows Flee” – Christy Christopher
January: “Becoming Elisabeth Elliot” by Ellen Vaughn
February: “The Circle Maker” - Mark Batterson
March: “Not My Will” - Francena Arnold
April: “Stepping Heavenward” - Elizabeth Prentiss
May: “The Applause of Heaven” - Max Lucado
June: “Ruth, A Portrait: The Story of Ruth Bell Graham” by Patricia Cornwall
July: “The Insanity of God” - Nik Ripken
August: “7 Women and the Secret of Their Greatness” – Eric Metaxas
September: “The Pursuit of God” - A. W. Tozer
October: “Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy” by Metaxas and Keller
November: “Evidence Not Seen” by Darlene Rose
December: “Two from Galilee” - Marjorie Holmes
“From Heaven – A 28-Day Advent Devotional” – A. W. Tozer
What about you? Is there a certain book that you would like to read this year?
I’d like to encourage you not only to make a list of “must-read” books below, but also share these titles with me! You can e-mail me at carol@carolmcleodministries.com.
Also – would you take the time during the month of January to share your reading recommendations with the entire group of women who belong to “The Joy Life”? You can do that right here.
“When she speaks, her words are wise and kindness is the rule for everything she says.” ~ Proverbs 31:26 TLB
If you change nothing else at all about your life in 2021, I’d like to challenge you to change the way you talk. You will never live a life of exuberant joy if your words are negative, worrisome or critical.
Listen to yourself during the month of January and then take the time to analyze your speech patterns.
Are you in the habit of criticizing your husband?
Are you in the habit of worrying out loud?
Do you often find yourself talking about others behind their backs?
Are you negative when it comes to politics, the state of our nation or even with what is going on in your local church?
Make a list of the words or phrases that you often verbalize and determine that this year your tongue will honor God and encourage others.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.
~ Proverbs 18:21
The words that you will speak in 2021 will determine whether your life is a garden or a desert!
The words that you will speak in 2021 will determine whether your life is a river of nourishing purpose and divine direction or a putrid and fetid swamp.
“For, the one who desires life, to love and see good days, must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.”
~ I Peter 3:10
Years ago, I knew that my tongue was out of control and so I made a list of things that I was never allowed to say again. Would you like to read my list?
~ I never am allowed to gossip about a person who is made in the image of God. Never.
~ I am never allowed to enter into a conversation that is negative or filled with angry opinions. Never.
~ I am never allowed to exaggerate or tell a half-truth. Never.
~ I am never allowed to accuse or condemn someone. Never.
~ I am never allowed to “name-call” or say the words, “I hate …”. Never.
“But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “today”.
~ Hebrews 3:13
The words and phrases that I try to say often are these:
~ I love you and I like you!
~ What would I do without you?
~ You mean the world to me!
~ I value your time and your input.
~ You know, I think that there is a different way of looking at that …
~ Let’s both look for some facts concerning this situation and revisit this conversation at a later time.
~ You know, I just believe that there is good in everyone.
~ I forgive you. Will you forgive me?
What is a phrase that you will no longer allow yourself to say?
What is a phrase that you will say often in 2021?
I’d love to hear what your phrases are so feel free to share them with me in an e-mail to carol@carolmcleodministries.com.
You can also share them on our Facebook page with The Joy Life group.
I have a gift for you this year as we stand on the threshold of 365 new days of opportunity and divine assignment!
I’d like to share with you some of the word declarations that I have developed over the years of my life. Whenever I find myself becoming discouraged or despondent, I take out my list of word declarations and declare them into the atmosphere!
These word declarations change my focus, renew my vision and stir up the enthusiasm that I need to live with reckless abandon for the unshakable kingdom of God!
I will not waste one day of 2021 … not one hour ... and not one minute!
I will invest myself in eternal purposes in this grand year of 2021!
I will not take for granted the miracle of an ordinary day!
2021 will be the most wonderful and significant year of my life!
I will find someone to encourage every single day of 2021 either in person, through a sweet note, in an e-mail or on social media.
I will read great books in 2021 and will listen to life-changing podcasts because when I learn wise people then I will become wise as well!
I will use my fine china and buy flowers for no reason at all!
I will smile at strangers and I will hug small children!
I will not correct, critique or criticize my friends and family but I will look for opportunities to encourage them daily!
I will listen to Christmas music on October 1 - or whenever I feel like it!
I refuse to complain about the weather, politics or the economy today or any day of 2021!
I will go for walks when there are still dishes in my sink!
I will try to re-connect with friends from my childhood, from high school or from college.
I will tell my husband that I love him every day … and if I have no husband I will tell someone that I love them every single day!
I will not worry about money, about my children, about my health or about my future but I will trust that God is working all things together for good for me!
I will cheer for my favorite teams whether they win or lose!
I will forgive others when they have made a mistake and I will refuse to bring it up again!
I will forgive myself when I have made a mistake and refuse to bring it up again!
I will sing in the shower … in the car … and when I am doing the dishes!
I will live to make hell smaller and heaven bigger! I will look for opportunities to tell other people about my Savior and Friend, Jesus.
I will celebrate life!