Be still my soul.

I've been doing a lot of thinking about this next year of my life. This next year in my family's life. A couple of years ago I did away with actual resolutions and started coming up with "themes" or overall ideas I want to live by.

This year it seems I only have one thing I feel strongly about. Being still. If you were to categorize me as a person you would surely find my name under the words achiever, planner, busy-body, problem solver, person who wants to do it all! I don't think this is a bad thing actually, but slowing down these past few months has made me realize that there are precious little things I am missing when I'm too busy to slow down. Like the way my baby's eyelashes brush his cheeks or how you can catch a glimpse of the mountains at the top of hill if you look for them.

When it comes to the bigger things, there's a beauty in waiting on God and letting things happen organically rather than forcing them or trying to produce outcomes. When I'm trying to control everything I can't see how He's working in my life. There's an ease in being flexible and letting go. Then I can see this Hope I'm holding on to is so much bigger than myself or the things I can do. Most of all, I really want to be present in my life, not always problem-solving in my head, or worrying. Not always with a hand on something electronic (ouch!).

Don't get me wrong, I have goals and plans and things I want to achieve this year. I just feel that stillness and peace are so rarely encouraged in our culture that I need to make a point to myself to strive after them. To slow down and say yes, to enjoy these tiny moments in my life in the midst of my doing. After all, everything we have isn't worth much without the ability to actually enjoy it.

What are your thoughts and goals for 2013?