The Accomplished & Unaccomplished Goals of 2016

If you’re anything like me, the title of this post fills you with a kind of sick feeling. Your mind starts spinning, whizzing back to the beginning of the year when you made all these goals that you were sure you would accomplish this year. Because this year was going to be different. You were going to do everything better, your life was going to become healthier, the people around you were going to notice the massive change in you, you were going to get smarter, fitter, kinder, more useful. You were going to put your procrastinating behind you. You were going to work hard. You were going to accomplish.

Now here you are, freaking out because you aren’t ready for 2017, and can you even think of one goal you properly followed through with?

But then again, that’s only if you’re anything like me. If you aren’t, fair enough. And if you are, here’s a little bit of advice. From me to you and me.

One of the problems I have when I start thinking about all I haven’t done and all there is that needs my attention is that I tend to lose sight of the fact that there’s a bigger picture. I’m too busy obsessing over the intricate details to realize that although it’s far from perfect, there’s beauty to the huge mess that is my life, if I just take a step back. There’s purpose.

Sometimes I simply forget that my messy room or my messy hair or my inactive blog or the to-do list that grows bigger every day or the run I didn’t go on or the journal entries I didn’t write or my bed that I still haven’t made are not what defines an accomplisher’s life. I just forget sometimes.

The truth is, the accomplishments that matter the most are to do with the heart. When you woke up this morning, did you feel a little lighter than you did yesterday? Do you feel you’ve been growing, that you’ve been changing and maturing and learning? Do you see people in a different light, the more you get older? Are you more understanding, more quick to help than you are to judge?
Can you say with confidence that you are following in the footsteps of the One who has shown us the way?

Guys, all of the above is what really counts. And there’s no way anyone of us can become those things without help.

In the bible, it says ‘yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.’ Romans 8:37.
So, let’s scratch the ‘accomplisher’ part.
Because do you know what? We are CONQUERORS. No, wait, there’s more. Literally, more. We are MORE than conquerors.
And it’s only through Him and Him alone. It’s Him in us, it’s Him with us, it’s Him keeping His promise, that He will never leave or forsake us.

You are not doing this alone.

It also says in the bible, in that very same chapter: ‘what then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?’ Romans 8:31.
Man, I love that chapter. WHAT shall we say to these things? These ‘unaccomplished’ goals, ‘unticked’ boxes on our lists?

We tell them this: that they are NOT more important than our God. That we will NOT allow them to consume us, turning us into worriers instead of warriors. That they surely do NOT define us, because our identity is found in Christ alone. That God willing and with His love and help that we all so desperately need, we’ll try again next year. We’ll work hard, yes, but we’ll be doing everything to His glory, not our own.

Don’t waste sleepless nights over the bad moments, days, weeks, or even months of this year. Don’t waste your tears over them. Redirect your energy to what you were really made for.

You were made for Christ.

‘For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.’ Colossians 1:16.

Ask Him how He would have You live, what He wants you to conquer for Him. Only then will you truly feel a sense of accomplishment. Take this from someone who constantly slips up by trying to find that elsewhere. Sometimes I feel I’m like a stupid sheep. (oh wait, that’s actually exactly what I am without Christ)
When will I learn that I only find that strength, that fuel and that purpose in my God?

But that’s the thing, right there. I’m learning. You are too. Life is full of learning, and we’re all learning constantly. It isn’t life that teaches us, though, as some like to say. It’s our sovereign God that has ordained and planned every little part of your life, of my life. His plan is greater, His plan is better. Remember that there’s no one else you ever need to turn to, that if you’re looking for someone to teach you how to do life, look no further than Jesus Christ.

And you guys. Best. Teacher. Ever.

He’s also a sculptor, by the way. Yeah, calling Him talented would be an understatement. I mean, where do you think all the talents we have as humans came from? I like to think He shared a little with us.
But back to the sculptor thing I was getting to. He is shaping you, moulding you into what you were always meant to be. He is growing you into His image. The catch is, there’s no catch. If you put Him first and put yourself under His care, you will flourish. You will find you’ve never been better. That doesn’t mean it will always be easy, but it means that it will be worth it.

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:18.

See? How amazing is that? IN HIS IMAGE? Do you know the massive truth of how stunning, how beautiful He really is? Nope, neither do I. Not entirely, not yet. But I’m looking forward to the day when the magnificence and awesome wonder of His full beauty is right in front of me. Until then, I kind of have an idea, and even that is mind BLOWING.

If you feel you’ve take nothing else away from this year, take this and be comforted: He hasn’t left your side and never will.

If you take nothing else away from this blog post, take this and be comforted: whatever happens in 2017, He’s got you.

Monday Musings [4] - My Song

It was You who set the earth spinning

You nurture every tree that is growing

You alone are mighty and all knowing

Of all Your wonder I will keep on singing

Oh, You crafted these bones

You made my heart a home

And knowledge within my soul

Tells me I don't have to be alone

You are my King, my Lord

And this, this is my song

You put this melody inside of me

Gave me strong feet and these wide eyes

So in Your grace I'll stand and see

And this fire that burns for You will never die

Oh, how good and how safe it feels

To know, know I belong to Someone

A thought that makes my head reel

To know that to You, I belong

You are my Savior, my first love

And this, this is my song.

-t.h.

written: 10/10/16

Growing In His Grace

You can't have a relationship with Jesus Christ and not be constantly changing, constantly growing. Sometimes it's the little things, things one would hardly notice if they aren't looking closely. But believe me, it adds to the bigger picture.
Other times it's a massive change that makes the people who know you and even those who don't do a double take.
The best part is that when you are truly for the Lord- it is always good change.

I spent some time a while back fearing change. I wanted things to stay just the way they were. I was blind to the fact that I wasn't going to build my relationship with my God or grow spiritually if I just stood still.
I thought I was safe if my situation didn't change, if I stuck with what I knew.

I didn't stop to think that maybe a change of situation would be an incredible, beautiful journey and adventure with Jesus by my side the entire time.
Let me just say, He is the most wonderful travel companion. There's no one else I'd rather be with on this long, bumpy road trip. He is full of unbelievable, unfathomable love and wisdom.

How glad I am to be His child, to have Him correct me and discipline me and ultimately, love me in all abundance. He shows me the way, He speaks to my heart. I don't hear Him so clearly everyday. Some days it feels like He's silent, and I get frustrated. Because I'm human, I want my answers, and I want them now.

But He always knows better, and even in the silence, I know He's there. He is always there.

And when He does speak to me, it's amazing. He strengthens me, He comforts me. He reveals things to me and teaches me. He forgives me, He gives me wisdom. He grows me, His words and love pouring over me like clean, sweet water, refreshing a dry and thirsty soul. He quenches the thirst in me the way only He can.

The reason why I'm so excited to tell you all of this today is because the more I grow in Him, the more thrilled I am when I realize he's made a change in me. No more freaking out when I'm forced out of my comfort zone for His sake. No more stressing when I think that the job is too big. No more being afraid of change. Instead, I'm happy. No- I'm rejoicing! How can it be that He chooses someone like me to do anything for Him? To have the satisfaction of serving the God who died for me and continues to bless me undeservedly, every single day of my life?

Change is always good when it comes to Jesus changing you. 

Change in yourself, change of circumstances, change of relationships with others when you openly glorify His name.
As you walk and talk with God in your daily life, your roots in Him will only grow deeper and stronger. And growing means changing. Maybe you're sick of hearing that word by now, but if you're like me, you need to hear this constantly. Because I can so easily get in a place where I'm comfortable with things staying the way they are...and I don't believe that is how a Christian life is supposed to be.

As if it's not phenomenal enough that He is shaping and forming us in His image, He also promises to be our strength through it all. He tells us that He will never give us more than we can bear. He says His plans are good. He promises that the reward will be worth it.

He makes you strong. 
He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. / Isaiah 40:29

He doesn't give you more than you can take.
No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make a way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. / 1 Corinthians 10:13

He has good plans for you.
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not evil, to give you a future and a hope. / Jeremiah 29:11

He has a reward in store for you.
And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. / Colossians 3:23-24

And He never lies.
God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? / Numbers 23:19

So trust in Him, as you grow in Him. Embrace the changes that come to happen. Look forward to them, get excited about them. One day, when you look back, your heart will swell with gratitude and you will be in awe at all that He has done in you and for you.

And know that He has nothing up His sleeve but more love for you.

The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy you in drought, and strengthen your bones; you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. / Isaiah 58:11

Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. / Philippians 1:6

Wednesday Words [3] - We're Fine

When those old fears are back once again

When those scars reopen and bleed again
When you need someone just call my name
I promise I’ll be there to help you mend

I’ve been broken down and left on the side
I have been tortured by my own mind
If you’re scared I know what it feels like
If you’re on the run I know what it feels like

Sometimes the people you thought would keep you safe
Break their promises and your bones and your faith
Sometimes we put ourselves into hands of destruction
Easily tricked into thinking they have good intentions

But if you ever need a home
If you are tired of being alone
Find me, I’m shattered too
Find me, it’ll be me and you

You are haunted by the things that were done
You’re tired but now you can’t ever slow down
Driven by the ghosts of your past chasing you down
And the battle you fight cannot seem to be won

But I will help you untie your heavy load
Escape and leave it in this neighbourhood
We both know that if I could I would
Erase your memory but it’s no good
We live with these nightmares in our minds

We live trying to forget so that we’ll be fine

But from now on, we travel together
Matching our paces, sticking together

We’ll take our time
Until in the end

We find we’re fine.

-t.h.

written: 12/09/16

August Days, Part 2 | 2016

Here's the conclusion to my previous 'August Days' post. I know this is only just in time to still be a legit August post. Oh well...the life of a procrastinator...
I have been...

+ struggling to keep my room tidy. Like, really. I can tidy it and make it perfect one day, and magically, on the next day, it looks like a bomb hit it. I wonder how it happens.

+ messing with oil paints and then taking a photo, because of course.

+ visiting a wildlife awareness centre with the cousins.

+ having a love/hate relationship with the rain that has been occurring quite often.

+ drinking pomegranate juice and finding I love it. (I don't exactly remember but this probably happened in June)

+ spending time with this girl.

+ reading Fourth Dawn by Bodie and Brock Thoene. Interesting but unimportant and weird fact: their surname is pronounced Tay-nee, which is what I'm often called. Except my name's version of the spelling is 'Taney'.

+ failing miserably in my plan to eat healthy for the whole of August, and relishing it. ;)

This post wasn't that long or too interesting, but I hope it was worth your while none the less. Let me know in a comment below, if you're up to it.

OH AND TOMORROW IS THE FIRST DAY OF SPRING, I'M SO HAPPY, PEOPLE.