If very green beanies could talk, this one would whisper into my very warm ears: ‘Everything’s going to be just fine.’

You will not find a snugger, safer, happier hat. I saw it at a Christmas market. Some splendid friends overheard me saying I loved it *a lot*. They bought it and surprised me and wearing it is like the softest head-hug. It’s sheer, unadulterated blessing on my head.

That’s my prayer for you as you read these words. Please receive them. Safe, soft blessings on your head.

So, on the cusp of this calendar flip –   

#1  May you tie the loose strings of 2021 into satisfying double-knots. And where live wires still spark and flash – exposed – may God insulate with forgiveness, peace, and goodwill to all. May you refuse to rehash your hurts, and instead rehearse God’s promises. May He expand your capacity to hold heart-space for the things you’ll never understand, even as you understand that He understands it all. If the locusts ate 2021? May God restore, refresh, renew, rejuvenate, regrow and rework All The Things for your good and His glory.

And as you step into the unwritten story of a new year –

#2  May you never postpone joy. May you celebrate even as you wait for the answers to come. May you stop many times a day, all your days, to say, ‘Right now – in the tick of this very second – life is freakin’ awesome!’ No expectations. Just gratitude.

#3  May you be at peace with every person in your circle of influence, and at peace as far as it depends on you with every person in your circle of concern.

#4  May you linger in the presence of your spouse. May you love your kids more than you lecture them. May you be fully present to every moment.  

#5  May God grant you supernatural wisdom, discernment, and insight for every interaction, because you’re the good news of Jesus wherever your feet take you.

#6  May you look after your body and your brain, make good choices, form helpful habits. May you remember, in every area of your life, that small change adds up. And when your head hits the pillow each night, may your rest be deep and untroubled, because all your days rest in the God who never does.

#7  May time with God be delight, not duty. May your early-morning alarm roll out a red carpet into His presence. May you wake up hungry for truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. So help you God.  

#8  May you be fun to live with: an uncomplicated, creative, kind human to all your other humans. May chores be your choice: a practical expression of love and happy worship.

#9  May you trust God to lead and provide. May you climb the mountains you’ve been trying to carry.

#10  May you borrow Jesus’ feelings for people who are hard to love. May you borrow His courage when you can’t even deal.

#11  May God grow in you bona fide humility and generosity as you throw your energy and efforts into seeing others go further. May you leverage your influence to make life better for the bitter.

#12  May Jesus fill in the gaps of your ignorance or insecurity. May He eradicate your fears and stitch closed gaping soul-wounds with threads of faith and hope.

#13  Where God has pruned your life, may it be a reminder that you’re so much more than the sum of your achievements, possessions or prestige. May you see how the cutting back has been making space for greater growth and the resurrection of dormant dreams.

#14  When you floss and find fresh wrinkles, may you remember you’re a masterpiece: a poem God is writing and reciting, for the first time in human history.

#15  May you brace yourself against the springtide waves of cultural opposition. May you keep a soft, brave heart when you’re mocked, remembering what Jesus said: ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.’

#16  For every decision, invitation or opportunity, may you ask yourself: Do I have space on my plate? What would an extraordinary person do? Does this align with the trajectory I want my life to take? And may God grant you clarity and calm.  

#17  May you run at each day with the resurrection power of your Redeemer, who lives.

#18  May you celebrate that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ. You are free indeed.

#19  May you keep it simple, and travel light.

#20  May you walk with the wise, and become wiser still.

#21  May you see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

#22 May you know your best years are ahead, and your future is bright because God is there.

. . .

Happy New Year to you and yours!

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