We are mere days away from 2022 and everywhere I am hearing people’s trepidation over the upcoming year. “No one claim this your year,” they say. “Tip toe in quietly, be good, be respectful. Don’t touch anything.” Or, “Before I agree to 2022, I’d like to read the terms and conditions.”

Those quotes are comical and feel valid after the past 2 years that we have had, and yet—to (almost) quote Taylor Swift, I’m feeling 2022. 😉 We don’t know what the year will hold, but we do know the One who does. And he promises to use everything for the good of those who love Him. (Romans 8:28) No, I’m not calling 2022 “my year”, but I’m expectant for what the Lord will do, and I hope you are too.

One of my favorite traditions right before the new year is to reflect. Which is sort of surprising for me because I’m not a New Years resolution kind of person. But one year I ended up sitting and reflecting on some questions about what had happened in the past year, and where I wanted to go in the coming year. And not only was it helpful, it was fun! So I showed it to my husband and he even liked it!

The word “remember” appears 130 times in the Old Testament. God was always telling His people to remember, because it was so easy for them (and us) to forget His faithfulness and the things that He has done. To forget Him.

Looking back helps us to remember God’s faithfulness, to celebrate where we have grown and what we have learned, and to realize the places that we long to change. I think change is only possible by the power of the Holy Spirit and intentionality in our day to day moments.

So I hope that this reflection blesses you as it has me. It’s divided into three parts: remembering the past year; reflecting and evaluating how you used your time and resources; and lastly, setting intentions for the New Year. It begins with a breath prayer, continues with questions (some adapted from Simply Real Health) and finishes with some goal guidelines from my friend, Alex Burlingame.

Remember. Reflect. Pray. Dream. Decide on a word for the new year. And set some realistic goals.

Last year, Matt and I did this on New Year’s Eve after the boys went to bed. We put on some instrumental music, got something festive to drink and spent time individually reflecting and setting intentions. Afterwards, we shared our answers and thoughts with one another, laughing at memories, reminiscing and affirming each other. I love that this reflection helped us to get on the same page about our hopes for the new year.

I don’t know what 2022 will hold, but I know the One who does. Here’s to yielding our hopes to Him. Cheers!

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12