Resolutions.  One Word.  The New Year.

It can bring about the best and worst in us all within the first week!  I have lived each year for the past several years with a word as my focus, and I already feel like I am not getting anywhere.

My word for 2017 is change.  Change is going to be very evident in my professional life, but the change in my own health and well-being is what concerns me the most.  I feel like I am already failing.  My eating has not been great, exercise non-existent…and I feel like I am making up excuses.  I’ve had a house filled with sickness and trying to get everyone better (including myself) has been difficult.

I can hear my husband saying, “Grace, Cazandra, grace.”

I get so wrapped up in the outward sometimes.  There, I’ve said it.  I worry about outward appearances a lot.  I know how I feel on the inside, but when I see the outside I am pretty stunned.  What I love about this quote is that yes, we need to take care of the physical parts of ourselves, but beauty is truly from within.  A person may look gorgeous on the outside and have a vile heart.  Those outward looks will never make up for the ugliness inside.

I tell women over and over again that they are beautiful, and I believe it with my whole heart.  But I struggle with my own issues, my own worth.  All I can do is continue to love with my whole heart.  I want nothing more than for my faith to consume my heart. And if I am lucky, others will see that faith through the love I show for others.  They will see that what moves me, what pushes me and strengthens me is my love for God.  If that happens, then everything else will pale in comparison.

Today I Am Thankful for:

1. Naps
2. Soup
3. Pencil sharpeners
4. The first snow of the season
5. ribbon