GOD’S DAILY RENEWAL

The tinkling of bells is the sound of renewal in my mind. Why? Because we have jingle bells attached to our holiday stockings in the Dighe home. And our stockings are a special storage spot for our New Years’ letters to Jesus. We’ve been writing a letter every year since we started the tradition in 2014, pouring out to God our hopes and dreams for the year ahead. Reading past letters each year is a melody to our souls as we hear the bells jingling lightly, and reminisce on how God has shown up throughout our highs and lows, refreshing us each year, and preparing us for what lies ahead.

However, we shouldn’t limit God in thinking He’s only present for renewal at the beginning of the New Year! Rather, He is ever-present, and provides rejuvenation daily if we only put off our old habits that separate us from God, and don a new mental framework thanks to the Holy Spirit. The Apostle Paul writes, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2 NLT

As parents, we are constantly guiding, teaching, correcting, and celebrating our children as they grow into new people day by day. Kids are learning how to think, speak, act, and react, based upon the framework we provide. We are transforming them in our own way! So how much better for all of us if we allow the Holy Spirit to be the guiding force of transformation. Our family members can throw off our old selves and let the Spirit renew our thoughts and attitudes. We’re called to a new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. (Ephesians 4:22-24).

So this is 2023, and thankfully, we have tools to help us in this process of parenting “the throw off the old self, put on the new concept” – there’s an app for this. Really! It’s called Wise Words for Moms (but Dads can use it too). It’s not flashy, but it helps! I’ve used Wise Words in addressing the day-to-day struggles in myself and my daughters, by asking questions of the heart and finding scripture to guide and shape our frame of mind. I find it best to use when processing a behavior issue once emotions have ebbed.

‍With the Lord’s help, we can become new people–and his mercies are new every morning! When we want to see change, we’ll step closer to success when we cultivate these four things into our daily life:

• healthy prayer life
• accountability partner
• reasonable set of expectations
• commitment to create new habits

‍“At the mercy of grace;

My mind renewed.

My soul restored.

My spirit rekindled.” 

― Lailah Gifty Akita, Think Great: Be Great!

As we step further into the new year, we lift up all our Epic families in prayer and we ask for renewal of our minds and refreshment of our souls. God’s grace is big enough for all of us to be transformed into people bearing consistent fruit of character – loving Jesus, loving ourselves, and loving our neighbors. May your family experience daily renewal and transformation in 2023!

Grace and peace,

Annikki

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January Epic Kids Unit Verse: