Only One Voice

   I was gifted so many thoughtful things this year, many of which feed into my love of backyard farming. Today, I pulled on new work overalls, and happily christened them with a little dirt and hay out in the sunshine. My littlest squish pulled on his (rather ragged) coveralls, and together we set up a worm bin given by my Daddy, said hello to the goats and chickens, and burned lots of Christmas paper and cardboard. 

  Now that the whirlwind of Christmas is behind us, my thoughts are turning to the new year: lesson plans, class choices for my older kids, house projects, and health renewal. I've seen a lot of content regarding resolutions for the New Year- articles about the top 10 things successful people ALL do, tips for how lose belly fat fast, health regimens that are life-changing, even meme-worthy one-liners about how we should make patterns and not resolutions (which I happen to agree with). 

   I could write today about how I think it's so much healthier to make habbit or better yet, pattern adjustments in the new year, rather than making resolutions. The difference to me is in the mindset.  A resolution is "I WILL NOT" or "I WILL ALWAYS", which just begs to be broken because of how it feels like a pass/fail. If we choose to set healthy patterns instead, the tone is set for renewal each time we choose the healthy pattern. It's not all over every time we fail- it's alright because the pattern will come around again. 

   But in this post, my goal is not to have you hear MY voice. 

   The world is full of opinions on how life "should" be lived. I'm sure your social media feed is ramming a lot through your eyes, into your brain. I'm sure you have people in your life that speak their opinion, and people that don't say it but you feel it so, so deep. I'm sure you have corners full of failure and regret, and attics full of somedays. 

   Only one voice is needed. Only one opinion matters. In an age where everything is so tangled and fast and loud- one  thing remains simple and immovable. We all know a couple verses from Proverbs 3 pretty well, but WOW, look at the hope and simplicity and PROMISE in the first chunk of this chapter:

Proverbs 3:1-12

My son, do not forget my teaching,
    but let your heart keep my commandments,
2 for length of days and years of life
    and peace they will add to you.

3 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you;
    bind them around your neck;
    write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 So you will find favor and good success[a]
    in the sight of God and man.

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
    and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him,
    and he will make straight your paths.
7 Be not wise in your own eyes;
    fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
8 It will be healing to your flesh[b]
    and refreshment[c] to your bones.

9 Honor the Lord with your wealth
    and with the firstfruits of all your produce;
10 then your barns will be filled with plenty,
    and your vats will be bursting with wine.

11 My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline
    or be weary of his reproof,
12 for the Lord reproves him whom he loves,
    as a father the son in whom he delights.

Only one voice is needed, friends. Read the word, lay it all before the Lord, and may your new year be filled with hope!