The Christmas season can be the most wonderful, exciting, and busy time of year, especially for moms. We hectically run around all of December to check off our to-do lists, buy the perfect gifts, attend all of the Christmas parties, and create magical moments of holiday traditions for our families.

Every year, it is so easy to get wrapped up in our lists and calendars full of things that we think will bring lasting joy and fulfillment, that we can forget the reason for the season. The “good news that will bring great joy to all people!” Luke 2:10 (NLT) The birth of Jesus – the King of Kings, the Lamb of God, our Savior, the Prince of Peace! Therefore, we believe that it is important to remember to seek joy, hope, and peace from the One who can deliver that – God!

Now that December 25th is behind us, let’s take a moment to pause and reflect on the good news that Christmas brought us. Let’s remember that God is good, even when things don’t feel good. Let’s remember that His plans are perfect, even when they don’t align with our plans. Let’s remember that Jesus loves us a ridiculously lavish amount, even when we don’t feel like we are worthy.

With that mindset, we have the opportunity to be intentional about setting our perspective for the New Year. In 2022, we can parent toward a goal of raising resilient, independent, competent adult children.

As we continue to muddle through this unprecedentedly chaotic time of the COVID19 global pandemic, it’s more important than ever that we have a fluid, adaptive perspective that allows us to zoom in to the next 20 minutes and zoom out to the next 20 years. So, as we head into 2022, let’s remember our 20/20 perspective.

A 20/20 perspective considers the next 20 years, not just the next 20 minutes. While can’t always change the circumstances, we can change our perspective. We can’t always change the situation, but we can change how we look at it. When we change how we look at it, we change the way we feel about it, and we change the way we deal with it.

Here are some mindsets to zoom in on in 2022:

–It’s cool to be kind. The world is so charged with differing opinions, social issues, political angst, and injustices that appropriate behavior is not always modeled for our children by all authority figures, unfortunately. But we can change that in our homes with intentional kindness! If we can help our children develop kind and gentle hearts, they will be world changers. “Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32 (NLT)

–Life is tough, but my darling, so are you! So many aspects in life are out of our control, and that can be a hard lesson for kids to learn. They will inevitably hear many versions of the harsh old saying, “Hasn’t anyone told you that life isn’t fair?” Let’s rewrite that to remind them that they are resilient! They can handle what life throws at them! “We are glad for our troubles also. We know that troubles help us learn not to give up.  When we have learned not to give up, it shows we have stood the test. When we have stood the test, it gives us hope.” Romans 5:3-4 (NLV)

–Nothing is wasted in God’s economy. No sorrow, tear, trial, disappointment, hardship, hurt, or loss felt by us is experienced in a vacuum. God feels what we feel. If we surrender those feelings to Him, He can use them. Sharing your heart with someone else might lead to a new level of companionship with a friend. Your story can become someone’s survival guide. Giving a hard situation to God may lead you to find a way through that you never imagined. And on the other side of that coin, God celebrates your joy, accomplishments, victories, happiness, and triumph with you! Everything you feel is important to God and is part of the narrative He is sharing through your life. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3: 5-6 (NASB)

–Every feeling is OK to feel; it’s how you respond that matters. It’s OK to feel sad, mad, silly, happy, frustrated, disappointed, afraid, or excited. All of those feelings are part of what it means to be human! Remind your kids that their feelings aren’t in charge of their actions – they are! They have the power to catch their feelings, name their feelings, and decide what to do with those feelings. They don’t have to play victim to their feelings! They can learn from them and move forward constructively. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT)

As Julie often says, we don’t want to add to your already long to-do list; we just want to help you be intentional with what you’re already doing! If we take the small and intentional steps to focus on these opportunities to zoom in, it can help us parent toward our goal of raising resilient, independent, competent adult children.

Although the common saying is “Happy New Year,” we know that 24/7 happiness isn’t the goal. Therefore, the Fearless Mom team wishes you a very Content, Fulfilling, Peaceful, Intentional, (and Happy) New Year! Let’s make 2022 the best year it can be. “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” Galatians 6:9 (NLT) You can do this, Mom!