The new year is just days away, so if you’re like me, you’re wondering how you can make 2015 better than 2014. But when I set goals for myself, I’m always very careful to let the Lord guide me. After all, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails” (Prov. 19:21).

So as much as I’ve been thinking and praying about next year, He keeps bringing me back to this year. Because this year was good. And this year was not wasted. And this year should not have the door slammed in its face with a loud “Good riddance!” but should be embraced like a beloved college professor on the last day of class.

So before I forge ahead, the Lord has challenged me to look back and thank Him for the things He allowed me to get right in 2014. By His grace, here are a few:

I tried something new

Every year our church’s women’s ministry has a beautiful Christmas brunch, and while I’ve always wanted to host a table, I’ve always been too intimidated. Hosting means decorating, and that is so outside of my comfort zone! But this year, I partnered up with my sister and together we decorated a fabulous table and had a great time doing it! Instead of trying to be uber-fancy (which I’m not) and “compete” with all of the china and crystal and expensive-looking decorations, I did a table that was ME. Cabbage Patch Kids + nostalgia + Christmas = a great first-time experience!

I began reading the Bible all the way through for the third time

After spending several months creating a Bible reading plan that was more realistic for my stage of life, on Mother’s Day, I officially started my 3rd time reading through the entire Bible with my new plan. After several months of success, I begged my husband to “make it pretty” and then partnered with the wonderful ladies here at Priority to make it available to others. As of today *hundreds* of women have embraced the Guilt-Free Bible Reading Plan and are on there way to reading the entire Bible, many of them for the first time ever! That may be the highlight of my entire year!

I shared classic literature with my children

It took about a year, but I finally finished reading all seven books in The Chronicles of Narnia to my children. And I cried. Like a baby. They did not comprehend it from every allegorical level, but I can hardly wait to experience this series again as a family when they are a little older. For now, we share great memories of an amazing imaginary world!

I spent more time with the Lord

I will never defeat perfectionism entirely, but every day that I embrace progress, I am growing spiritually. This has been the first year ever that I have consciously not tried to be “perfect” with my quiet times, and miraculously, I can see that I have spent more time with the Lord this year than I have in many, many years. His love is both freeing and compelling at the same time!

I yelled less and loved more

I don’t do chaos well, which is hilarious since we have four children! But I LOVE my husband and my children, so I have tried to become aware of what makes me turn into the Wicked Witch of the West and give those things over to God so He can help me control my emotions. I did not have a perfect year, by any means! But I have been a happier wife and mommy than I was last year, so I’ll press on!

I wrote a book

I spent the first half of the year compiling Glo: 365 Devotions to Give God Priority. I will never forget reading through the final draft on our family road trip to Colorado and being so blessed by some of the entries in the book. Then, there were so many times throughout the year that I would be struggling with something and then God would use our own book to minister to me! This is another thing I’m so thankful I get to share with others!

I embraced family

This summer, we took a two-week vacation and drove to Colorado to stay with my great-aunt and great-uncle. This was one of my favorite vacations ever, and much of it was because I had such a great time with my family (both immediate and extended).

I attended Bible study again

For the first time since I had children, I was able to attend a women’s Bible study at my church. I got to be a part of the pilot study of Laurie’s next study, Are You a Disciple? and it was such a wonderful experience. I was challenged and pruned, and I can’t wait to share this study with others when it comes out next year!

I became more proficient in a skill

I love sewing, but my skills are severely limited because I’m completely self-taught. But this year, I embraced YouTube and took my skills to the next level. I learned how to finish raw edges, sew linings into bags, create infinity scarfs and make draw-string gift bags. I have so much to learn, but just these few skills have given me confidence to keep going.

I was intentional about developing relationships with women in different generations

When the time came to serve in the children’s ministry on Wednesday nights, I purposely wanted an area that would allow me to meet new women. So, despite my limited sewing skills (see above), I signed up to help teach sewing to 3rd and 4th grade girls on Wednesday nights because most of the other ladies who help are a generation or two older than me. It has been wonderful and I have loved just being around them and soaking up their wisdom.

As one who is always so quick to move on to the next big project, it has been extremely helpful to pause for awhile in order for the Lord to show me how far He has brought me. What a blessing to remember His provisions and His grace!

What about you? What did you get right in 2014?