How I Prepare for New Year with God

How To Prepare for a New Year with God 

1. Fortify with coffee. Lots of it. You just finished Christmas and you’re gonna need your strength. So pop in a Kcup (white chocolate macadamia is my all time fave) or brew a pot of Folgers. It doesn’t matter what you do just get hydrated. With coffee. Or tea. Or hot chocolate. 
2. Spend some time in peace and quiet. This may mean you have to barricade yourself in the bathroom with all the water running. Trust me. Do this. It’s worth the higher water bill. Take some deep breaths, inhale deeply, (bonus points if you have some delicious air to breathe… a diffuser with Peace and Calming, or a BBW candle… whatever relaxes you) Exhale fully (you’d be shocked at how few mommas do this.Seriously. DEFLATE your lungs until they scream. It’s awesome and makes you appreciate oxygen) 
3. Get cozy with your bible ( If it’s old school then cool… highlight and underline. If it’s on your iPad or phone, that’s cool… highlight and make notes) Concentrate on a small section of scripture and REALLY meditate on it. And yes. “Jesus wept” counts. Those two words from Scripture are FULL of meaning and depth. I focus on a  small portion and I usually write it down, and then ask the Lord to show me how it applies to my life. You’d be AMAZED at what He will reveal to you! 
4. Make more coffee. Because by now you’ve had multiple notes slipped to you under the bathroom door, you’ve been texted a zillion times, and someone is yelling MOMMMMMM or HONNNNNEEEEYYYY at least 23968939 times. But hopefully you’ve gotten some time with Jesus and learned to actually breathe again. 
5. Get your praise on. Crank some Hillsong, Jesus Culture, or … if you’re inclined…. Gaithers  ( I mean whatever worship music makes you cry or makes you laugh with joy or gets you fired up) Your kids may look at you like you are crazy. This is ok. They need to see PURE worship sometimes. For me, there have been times when I’m laid out on the floor sobbing. Other times I’m doing some sort of awkward warrior dance and others I’m just arms up, abandoned….. THIS IS OK FOR YOUR KIDS TO SEE. Too many worship teams are so polished and perfect we never get to see someone truly worshipping abandoned to God, surrendered. WORSHIP is a battle cry. I can’t tell you how many battles have been won while worshipping. Sometimes just playing the same song on the piano and singing until I felt a break spiritually… it’s awesome. God is going to give you a word. But you may have to battle for it. The enemy will hinder this at any cost. So GET. YOUR. PRAISE. ON. 
6. Pray without ceasing. Pray at the grocery store. Pray in the bathroom. Pray while you’re cleaning. Pray while you’re rocking feverish babies. Pray pray pray. Surrender YOUR plans and expectations, don’t tell God your word and expect Him to bless it. ASK HIM FOR YOUR WORD and then EXPECT HIM TO FULFILL IT. If you are a New Years Eve person then either in the moments before the ball drops, or maybe in the aftermath… whatever works for you, let God know that you love Him. He knows but desires to hear it. Lay your life on the altar spiritually and ask Him to burn off the impurities and to refine you. Truly surrender to Him and ask Him to reveal to you His word and promises over you. Get your bible back out. Seek Him. It might take a long time. It might come immediately. But when you seek God, He is faithful to respond.  
7. Don’t just seek Him once a year. As much as you can, make it a regular habit. I have a sweet momma friend that wakes up WAY early and seeks Him. Another stays up way late to spend time with Him. Mine are all teenagers so it’s easier for me to just shut my bedroom door, but I’m also a HUGE advocate for letting your kids see you worship, pray, and seek the Lord. He knows your heart. And He will speak to you whether you’re locked in a bathroom, laid out on the floor, or juggling babies. 

So. This is my method for seeking God for the New Year. It’s not cookie cutter or the RIGHT way. It’s just my way. Do what works for you. The most important thing is that you are seeking Him. 

Happy New Year!