• Identity
  • Singleness
  • Love
  • Loss
  • Marriage
  • Motherhood
  • Mentoring
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

Kindred Grace

  • About
  • Values
  • Contact
  • Guest Post

Fresh Grace

Jeannie · 2 minute read

Share
Pin
Tweet
Email
Print

A new year seems like such a good place for a fresh start. But sometimes I think it’s hopeless. Over and over I make the same resolutions, the same pledges to do better, only to have them fall by the wayside before the sharp edges of the year have worn off. Those friends I want to keep up with, the pounds I want to lose, the good habits I’m sure I can stick with this time — in my heart, I know I’m destined to fail once again.  And I’m not alone, apparently:  97% of people who make New Year’s resolutions abandon them within 30 days.

Why? Why must I always, always, mess up? I can’t even do something as simple as remember to call my siblings on their birthdays. And the failures make me try harder, without success, and the guilt piles up, and soon I’m wishing for another chance, another New Year’s to start over. Sometimes even that wouldn’t be enough. Not everything can be fixed by resolutions to do better next time, and New Year’s Day? It’s a great time for new starts (like, perhaps, the re-launch of a certain website),  but it only comes once a year.

The answer, of course, is grace.

Another chance at the diet.

Forgiveness for the hurt feelings.

A chance to say “I’m sorry” or “I love you” one more time.

A new day to try again.

Permission to let go of our failures.

I don’t need to wait for New Year’s Day to come around again.  God’s grace is here, now, waiting for me to reach out and take it. And it’s not just to be applied like glue to the broken mess I’ve made, but directly to my heart.  Because my failures show that I’m the one who needs grace.  If I could fix everything on my own – or better yet, not make mistakes in the first place – why would I need God? This weakness, this propensity for falling, is a gift most precious, because it forces me to run to my Savior.

This January, my first resolution is to accept grace.  Only then will I be able to offer it to others.

The weakness is a gift most precious...

Photo credit: wvubush

  • Bio
  • Latest Posts
  • Links
Jeannie

Jeannie

Trying to follow the steps of my Savior. Living the dream as a stay-at-home mom. Completely in love with my handsome engineer husband.
Jeannie

Latest posts by Jeannie (see all)

  • When Motherhood is Dark - May 13, 2019
  • 6 Collections of Humorous & Authentic Real-Life Love Stories - February 11, 2019
  • How A Woman’s Every Day Shapes An Eternal Legacy - July 2, 2018
  • How to Plant Seeds of Christmas Anticipation - December 15, 2017
  • Investing in Hospitality as a Family - September 26, 2017
Jeannie
  • Pinterest
  • Family Blog
Share
Pin
Tweet
Email
Print

Inspirational, New Year's · January 30, 2013 · 3 Comments

You may also enjoy...

  • Why God is On My Checklist (and I don’t feel bad about it)Why God is On My Checklist (and I don’t feel bad about it)
  • Women and WordsWomen and Words
  • riding out the “storms of guilt”riding out the “storms of guilt”
  • What is Weightier than Guilt?What is Weightier than Guilt?
Previous Post: « laughing at the future
Next Post: 100 Things I Love About You »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment

Comments

  1. AvatarHannah says . . .

    January 31, 2013 at 7:57 am

    Yes, thank you for this reminder. I think a lot of people hinge things on the beginning of the year. “I am going to do “such and such” come January”. I actually know of someone who decided to make a major life change and did it in January because “that was when everyone else made major life changes”. Whatever happened to God’s will and God’s timing in all areas of life? Whatever happened to grace for all months of the year? 🙂

    Reply
  2. Gretchen LouiseGretchen Louise says . . .

    January 30, 2013 at 2:27 pm

    Thank you for this reminder! Always needed, especially as January ends. 🙂

    Reply
  3. AvatarAlice W says . . .

    January 30, 2013 at 1:20 am

    Great post, thank you Jeannie.

    Reply

Join the Conversation Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

subscribe without commenting

Primary Sidebar

Avatar

Jeannie

Trying to follow the steps of my Savior. Living the dream as a stay-at-home mom. Completely in love with my handsome engineer husband.

read more posts

Courage, dear heart; God is writing your story. He created you. He is the One Who gives you identity.

In Him, there is hope. There is freedom. There is grace.

Recent Posts

Ever After: The Best Fairy-Tale Retellings for Christian Readers

For the Person Walking Through a Long, Hard Season

How to Build Things That Last: Truths From Elisabeth Elliot’s Books

Sponsored Links

Footer

Popular Posts

  • For the Person Walking Through a Long, Hard Season
  • How to Build Things That Last: Truths From Elisabeth Elliot’s Books
  • Glorifying God in This Good Body
  • 6 Questions to Ask Before You Define the Relationship
  • 5 Things to Remember When the Doctor Says You’ll Never be a Mom

In-Laws Loss Friendship Mentoring

What is grace?

We'd love to tell you a story... We believe there is no room for self-righteousness or for self-condemnation in hearts that have been given life by His transforming love.

He walked straight into a story of brokenness and pain. For us. And grace is the ability to fellowship again. Read more...

Join the Community

Books by Kindred Grace Authors

Disclosure: Links may be affiliate links. Your clicks and purchases help support Kindred Grace.
About · Privacy Policy · Terms of Use · Contact
Copyright © 2021 Kindred Grace · All Rights Reserved
Photography & Graphic Design by JenniMarie · Site by Gretchen Louise

We use cookies to provide you with a more personalized experience during your visit to Kindred Grace. OkayLearn More