Restoration and Renewal

Here's a little R&R for your new year. 

Every New Year, I like to come with a loose theme for the upcoming year. In my household, New Years Eve is spent in church; poppin' prayers instead of bottles. Being that we pray from one year to the next, I like to think of themes to keep me focused as I pray. 

This year, restoration and renewal is my motto. After beginning my college adventure in August 2017, I learned many things by the end of my first semester. Overall, I learned that I'm tired- of many things. I realized that there are aspects in my family, spiritual life, education, relationships, and just life that really need an upgrade from God. I felt mediocre and like I wasn't pushing myself to the best of my abilities in most areas of my life. 

During my winter break, I took a much needed breather. I thought, reflected, spoke to God, myself, and loved ones about everything. I decided to be raw and unfiltered. Things I don't always allow myself to be. Through these quiet times and reflections, I've seen a lot. It's through these realizations, frustrations, triumphs, conversations, and lessons that I stumbled upon my theme for 2018.

Restoration: I want to take back what's mine. Every once in a while, I tend to lose focus. I lose focus on God, my purpose, and the important tasks at hand. When that happens, I tend to lose certain things that fulfill me such as: joy, confidence, power, and dedication. Not a fun place to be in. I feel like my lack of focus has left me feeling mediocre and shy. However, we are given boldness and access to confidence through faith in Christ (Ephesians 3:12).  So, I want to be driven by this verse. I want my boldness and confidence back. How do I reach it? Answer: pursuing my Lord who holds it.

Renewal: Like I said, I was feeling mediocre torwards the end of 2017. But I will say though, glory be to God. Indeed, He makes all things work together for our good. 2017, despite my internal conflicts towards the end, was a great year of new beginnings.  Although God blessed me in many ways last year, I knew that there were so many areas where I fell short of what I know I can do. To clarify, this was not a case of me setting my standards too high. On the contrary. It was a case of not setting them high enough to really challenge me so I can come out on top. Job 29:20- "My glory is fresh within me, And my bow is renewed in my hand." I'm going to stop here because this verse says it all.

I'm excited and blessed to see a new year. May God carry each and every single one of us safely through it. Finally, welcome to Honey and Fruit: the manisfestation of an idea that has been with me since the 9th grade.