It is a new year. We are in the throws of winter, eating warm foods, watching snowflakes gently fall and spending more time in our homes. This time of year also brings the time to turn a new page and start a fresh planner. Flip through my 2021 planner with me and enjoy some calm around the house moments.
Around Windy Ridge come January and February, we are knee deep in winter hibernation.
Yes, this time of year in our region provides the perfect time to get out and do some of the heavy garden and home upkeep work that is so unpleasant in the summer heat. Of course we do take advantage of the cool weather to attend to fencing, building projects, and the like. But best of all, we spend a good portion of our time resting up for spring.
Time to recoup…
Just like the blooms awaiting their return in warmer days, I think winter provides folks with a slower pace, and lower volume and a chance (if we will take it) to recoup some of the lost creative juices, energy and well… It’s a superb season to stock up on naps with cozy blankets.
“For everything there is a season,and a time for every matter under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up…” Ecclesiastes 3:1-3 ESV
This beautiful passage continues on many more verses. I encourage you to read it, it is quite lovely and comforting. (As God’s Word is ALWAYS!!)
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See the Inside of My Planner in this video:
Speaking of cozy hibernation, check out this post where I share 4 Simple Ways to Make Your Home Cozier!
The beginning of a new calendar means a new planner for me!
I have been keeping a planner now for about 7 years or so. Nothing fancy! Just a place to record daily happenings, plans in advance and things I want to remember about our days. I use it a bit like a record keeper. Occasionally, I will add a few stickers, but for the most part, it is just me and my black ballpoint gel pen. (Yes, I have a favorite type of pen.)
My 2021 Planner is the…
Agenda 52 (52 weeks in a year, get it?) snapping, 6 ring binder with refillable planner pages from Hobby Lobby.
This is my second year using this setup, it has worked well for me.
They have different binder designs and insert options as well as some pretty cute sticker book options. I love to use one of those handy 40% off coupons in Hobby Lobby and I think you can order online with one too!
I have a simple black and white geometric pattern binder. But here is one that I like even more! Ooh lala, flowers and bees!
And here are the farmhouse stickers I currently am using.
Read My Laid Back Planner ~ 5 Tips for No Pressure, Helpful Planning to get some tips, if you are like me and need a planner to help you keep your life straight, but don’t want to spend a lot of time fussing over it.
As I mention in my video, as I get my planner ready I am reminded that I can make plans, but I cannot guarantee that those plans will come to fruition. As we saw last year, things can happen very quickly and be completely out of our control.
So here is a reminder dear ones…
Do not hold onto the things of this world with a clenched fist. This is a lesson that He has so graciously been teaching me.
Do not anguish over missed plans.
Do not write your life story in ink and grieve over the unrealized events.
The world tells us to always strive for something else, to never relinquish our control, to always fight for exactly what we want.
But God says to seek Him first (Matthew 6:33), that He will give our souls rest (Matthew 11:28-29), and that He is the potter, always at work on us, the clay, if we yield to Him (Isaiah 64:8) and that ALL things work together for our good (for those that love Him) and His glory (Romans 8:28).
Hold your plans in a soft hand… Extend that hand to our Heavenly Father and let Him sift through them.
His plans for us are so much more than what we can fathom or scribble down on a calendar or in a planner.
When things shift, and we don’t know what happens next… Go to Him and lay it at His feet. He will provide the way.
This new year is just another step closer to being with Him and another opportunity to trust Him.
You May Also Like To Read:
4 Simple Ways to Make Your Home Cozier
These are a Few of My Favorite Things ~ Winter Edition
4 Ways to Wear Your Kids Out in the House
Immune Supporting Hot Tea with Thieves Recipe
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