Just the other day I grabbed a nice, hot cup of tea and was on my way to snuggling into a big, comfy, green chair with a good book. As I was on my way down, looking intently at my cup so I didn't spill, I thought of how my Teccino tea was already on its way to getting cold. Before I knew it, I would be three pages in with a lukewarm tea sitting comfortably in my hand. It kind of took me off guard, but at that moment, that feeling just sounded... familiar. I thought to myself of how I, too, can't help myself from getting cold sometimes. The thought came fast and then floated up out of sight as I removed my bookmark.

But what about this idea? The idea that just like the warm cup of tea, we can't maintain a certain level of intensity, of warmth, of do-gooding? We are creatures of acceleration and rest, of ups and downs, of movement and stillness, of commitments and forgetfulness, of progress and digression. There is not one piece of us that can maintain perfect steadiness. Every piece of us has some inconsistency and fluctuation.

So, as you think about this New Year, the resolutions, the goals, the various new mindsets you are heading toward with full excitement and heartfelt intentions, remember that sometimes our cups get cold, and that's to be expected. It means that the cup has been poured, and it is being used. You're practicing life, and working toward becoming. Life doesn't have to be limited to the perfectly laid to-do's in a tight-fitting agenda, with strict times and unforgiving arrangements.

I also think we are often tempted to glorify a new year, the feeling of a fresh start. We convince ourselves that this year, everything's going to be different. I challenge you to remember perseverance, and strength, and hard work toward betterment, but also remember that we're broken creatures. This year, as despairing as it sounds, will not be absolutely perfect, and that's ok.

Take time to allow for the unexpected, and be able to ask for forgiveness when you don't meet the expectation. It's in our nature to fall apart one way or the other- be honest in that. Go, and bear that hurt before the Lord with authenticity and repentance. Realize that you truly can't have it all together. That in turn, will bring about greater healing and becoming as He shapes you more and more to look like Himself. Every moment is a moment to surrender and to grow and to be laid before the Lord.

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matthew 11: 28-30

Rest, reflection, interruption, and refinement are not the enemies of accomplishment; we are creatures accompanied by grace and truth. To all of my do-gooders out there, remember that even if you miss one workout, or eat the cookie, or even fail horribly to be a good person, know that failure is part of the game. Although we do not have the capacity to be absolutes, especially absolute perfection, there's an opportunity for our imperfections to be used to create beautiful growth in this new year.

Happy New Year!