End Well: 3 simple ways to finish the year strong
December is a full month for me. I normally order my new planner, start my yearly reflection, and begin planning for the new year.
This year, however, I heard the Holy Spirit quietly whisper something new—“End Well.”
In the planning for the next year, I took my eyes off what God wanted to do right NOW and how God wanted this year to end.
God is still moving. God is still healing. God is still blessing. God is still reconciling. God is still a way maker.
God has work HE still wants to do THIS year.
I don’t want to miss what HE wants to do now because I am so preoccupied with preparing for the next.
I want every answer, every blessing, every open door God promised me in this year.
So I am leaving nothing on the table. Oh, no! I am going to hold on to every word God is speaking NOW so I can end this year well.
Can you relate?
My mind is made up. I am going after everything God is doing THIS year in three simple ways.
Limit your distractions
Between parties, meetings, and traveling, the end of the year brings an abundance of opportunities to keep your mind, your heart, and your mind busy. Plus, all the reminders to start planning and goal setting for the new year can tug at our attention too. If we are not careful, we will physically present but mentally absent. Our minds will be caught up in the what ifs and possibilities of a new year while our bodies are waiting to play catch up.
Don’t let this be you friend.
If we are going to END WELL in this year, then limiting our distractions is going to play a vital role. With a few adjustments, we can make it easier to keep our hearts and minds focused.
Plan your events in moderation: As a momma, I know firsthand the busyness of the Christmas school schedules. Band concerts, class parties, secret Santa exchanges, ordering Christmas cards—the list can go on and on. I get it. It’s tempting to try to do it all, but everything comes at a cost. Be willing to say NO.
Prioritize intimate time with God. An important aspect to finishing the year strong is prioritizing God in our everyday schedules. Make time to get with Him in prayer, worship, and praise. It’s hard to hear what God wants us to do when our minds are cluttered with mindless activities and endless things to do.
Steward your assignments
Too often, we have our eyes on what we are going to do next year. You know the weight we are going to lose, the book we are going to start writing, the business we are going to start, or how we are going to prioritize our marriages. Oh, yes—“going to” is usually lingering somewhere.
Finish the year strong has a lot to do with how we are stewarding the assignments God has already placed in our hands.
EVERYTHING we have in our lives is a gift from God.
The same God who spoke light into existence is the same God who gave our form a shape and breathed life into our lungs. Before time ever existed, He already created a purpose and plan for every single one of us. He’s anointed, called, and equipped us for the assignments He has placed in our hands.
Just think every person and every place we go is an opportunity to take God with us. We are not here to merely be led by dates on a calendar. We are meant for more than saving for retirement, building a home, or traveling the world. Every moment is an opportunity to spread the love of Jesus, to make His name known, and to build His kingdom. We can only do this if we are stewarding well the people and assignments He’s placed in our lives.
He’s given us what we need so we can be good stewards faithfully and purposefully.
Take time to do a heart check. How are you showing up?
We don’t have to wait for anything new to complete what God has already started. Want to get healthy, drink the water today. Want to improve your relationship with your spouse, make time to talk today. Want to start writing, write the first paragraph. Want to prioritize your home, put the phone down, and spend time with your loved ones today.
Stewarding who and what God has assigned to us has less to do with a date on a calendar and more to do with His timing. Whatever God has entrusted you to do, do it and do it well.
Walk through the doors
God’s remarkable love has given everything in our lives purpose. Just think before our mothers ever held us, God already accepted us. Before anyone spoke our names, we were already known by God.
Friend, let’s not wait for the new year where we are a bolder, braver, stronger version of ourselves. Choose today to step right into who God uniquely created us to be. Embrace your voice. Stop hiding behind shame. No more compromise.
Once we are willing to demolish fear, we will continue to walk out the plan God has for us this year.
There are people THIS year waiting for us to walk out our kingdom purpose. People who are waiting on us to bring the light of Christ into our homes, our workplaces, even the grocery store.
We will NOT become who God made us to be by remaining who we were. We are made for more.
So leave NOTHING on the table this year. Do you hear me? I said leave NOTHING on the table.
Finish the year strong
Make this the year where you finish what God started in you. How you end the year can have a significant impact on how you walk into the next year. Choose to end well. Limiting your distractions, stewarding your assignments, and walking through the doors God has opened for you will help you finish this year strong. God is still moving, are you making room?
Cheering you on,
Natalie
Thank you for this. I am I big proponent of starting today vs waiting for the new year to start. I like how you emphasis ending this year well before jumping into the next one.
Mamie L. Pack
NatalieHow we end makes such an impact on how we start the next.
Ariana
Good tips, saying no is key during this time of year. SOOO much going on, and its so easy to start accepting left and right and burn yourself out.
ahappyhomeschoolmom
You have encouraged me so much with this post! I usually just want to get through December quickly because it can be stressful and busy. I’m going to try to do a better job of keeping my eyes on God and living out the rest of this year with purpose!
Mamie L. Pack
ahappyhomeschoolmomYesss! I love hearing that. Let God use every bit of the year.
Khadijah
God is a strong presence in my life and this post really resonated with me.
Mamie L. Pack
KhadijahYay! Glad to hear that Khadijah.
Melissa
Such a great set of goals for the rest of the year. It is imperative for me to be very intentional with my morning quiet time for Bible and prayer!
Mamie L. Pack
MelissaOh, I completely agree Melissa.
Julie Smith
Thanks for a great reminder!
Mamie L. Pack
Julie SmithThanks for stopping by Julie!
Mellissa
Perfect! It’s so easy to forget at this time of year that God might have other plans for us, we just need to stop and let him show is what they are!
Mamie L. Pack
MellissaOh, yes Mellissa! God is still moving today. Are we showing up?
Beth
Thank you for sharing! I’m so guilty of skipping the rest of this month to focus on what I’m going to do next year. There’s still time to accomplish things this year–you’re so right!
Mamie L. Pack
BethAbsolutely!! Imagine all the good still left in December.
Mama Bear Finance
Eating well is so important and sometimes overlook due to our busy lives!
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[…] down. I first started creating my own vision boards as a way to channel my creativity when doing my goal planning for the year. Then as our children grew older, I realized it was important to start including them […]
Abby
These are all excellent points. Thanks for sharing.
Mamie L. Pack
AbbyThanks for reading Abby!
Tiffany || Grace for your Chaos
love all these tips!! Def need to save this to come back too
Life With Sonia
Thank you for this. It has been a tough year but i’m looking forward to a new start.