The January-est Of January’s

As we move through the days and weeks of a new year, it can feel sluggish for some. Not the “fresh start” that we may envision.

That’s ok. I get it.

Here’s something uplifting to read:

Psalm 36:5-11 “Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends into the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; your judgements are like the great deep; man and beast you save, O Lord. How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights. For with you is the fountain of life; In your light do we see light. Oh, continue your steadfast love to those who know you, and your righteous to the upright of heart! Let not the foot of arrogance come upon me, nor the hand of the wicked drive me away.”

Really if you read through the many passages in Psalms, there’s almost no end to the encouragement. These are poems and songs written to and about the Lord. They cover reverence for God, deliverance from ones enemies and more. The emotion in these passages are big and wonderfully expressive!

Our hearts can be melancholy sometimes. Whether it’s seasonal or situational, it’s still difficult. When this occurs, we can recognize what we’re feeling, accept the situation for what it is, and then persevere.

Here are some small ways to help us persevere in the melancholy and mundaneness of a January day:

• Start a bible reading plan. This can be a way for us to nurture our souls in seasons of sadness, while also growing in knowledge and closeness with God. You don’t have to make it a big goal, but simply picking a book to study and taking it one passage at a time, can be a simple and beautiful way to start consistent bible reading and give you something to look forward to.

• Start going for walks weekly(or daily). It gets your body moving, you’re breathing fresh air, and it’s not as daunting as joining a gym or creating a whole exercise routine. Walking gives you time to think and experience the place you live in a more intimate way. It’s, in my opinion, one of the best things you can do for your physical and mental health.

• Seek pleasure in small, day to day, things such as: a good cup of coffee, a delicious piece of chocolate, a warm comforting meal, etc. This could also be framed as gratitude or indulgence. Ultimately with this method the idea is that God created you for many things and that includes pleasure. He gives us gifts, large and small, to enjoy throughout life. The idea is, make sure that you’re enjoying and taking the mental note.

Will these things fix all your problems or grant you soul deep happiness? No.

But you may see some changes in the way you interact with your blessings and the people around you daily.

Here are some things I’ve been doing, after taking down Christmas decorations, to make January feel magical:

I want to end this time here with an excerpt from a book and authors that inspire me deeply. In the book The Life Giving Home by Sally Clarkson and Sarah Clarkson, Sally writes:

“In that season of my life, as the mother of three teenagers and a bubbly little seven-year-old girl, I rarely had a quiet moment. This drive provided a soothing moment, a badly needed opportunity just to breathe. The soft music lured me to a secret escape inside, while pathways leading through shadowy woods captured my imagination, providing a momentary break from mundane reality. And how I needed that! My heart was desperate for some new inspiration and rest from my draining and demanding days.”

Sally and Sarah Clarkson, The Life Giving Home(Tyndale Momentum: 2016)

This is written from the perspective of a mother, however, it applies to anyone who has a life with demands, stress, and heartache(so all of us). We have to be able to recognize our own burnout, depression or even just the hint of looming sadness in January in order to seek relief in large and small ways. Instead of “toughing it out”, join me, as I partake in God’s goodness, rest and grace.

Blessings to all of you in the January-est of January’s.💙