About the Author

Jen encourages women to embrace both the beauty and bedlam of their everyday lives at BeautyandBedlam.com. A popular speaker, worship leader, and author of Just Open the Door: How One Invitation Can Change a Generation, Jen lives in North Carolina with her husband, five children, and a sofa for anyone...

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
Find more at DaySpring.com
(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
Recent Posts

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. I don’t make resolutions, or even set goals really. I do try to visualize. And I like to let life unfold.
    I try harder to be better, more compassionate, less of self, and less trapped in a life of fear.
    If I can be open to change, and willing to love more and more, I find that life keeps getting me to rise up. And I am . I think.
    Thank you for this encouragement. Really.

  2. OMGoodness! I just blogged about this on my site before I ever came over here and read this! CRAZY! I love it! Thank you so much for being so real and transparent.
    It already clarified a couple of things I blogged about! Thank you! God bless!

  3. I loved this my friend. I stopped making my enormous to-do lists and New Years resolutions a few months after PPD and my extreme perfectionism led me to a tried and true nervous breakdown. Thank you for being transparent in your struggles and for exuding hope as well.

  4. A most excellent resolution from Edwards (and you)!
    Any and all resolutions must be well prayed over and intiated in our hearts by God. Otherwise, WE are making lists to serve our own needs to feel like WE are taking positive steps toward what WE think we need to do.
    Can SHAME be removed for the equation of resolution-making or not making? I think that’s key.
    May God lead.
    May we follow.

  5. I am with you, let’s rebel! I used to make New Years Resolutions, but haven’t for many years now-I found either I made too many or set them too high and wasn’t able to meet them. This made me feel like a “failure” in what I was trying to do. Now, I let God lead me in my day to day life and feel so free as I don’t have to worry about meeting “my” goals. (of course, I tend to take back the “lead” at times and then have to give it back to God). God has blessed me many times in so many ways over the years! Thank you for sharing with us. Blessings

  6. I gave my year a “tagline” instead of making normal resolutions. This tagline for 2010 is “Live for Today”. Then I flushed out what this meant – Relational. Spirit Filled. Balanced. I have “steps” to take to push me towards my goal, but they’re a far cry from a resolution (that is bound to fail).

  7. oh I so agree. I love making goals and readjusting as needed..sometimes that is a lot but I smile at the tiniest baby steps.

  8. Awesome! I like Edwards’ take; a bit different from Benjamin Franklin’s self-imposed endeavors toward perfection…
    As for myself, I make reasonable resolutions, so I’m not anti-goals at all. And I’ve stopped beating myself up for not achieving them.
    Have a wonderful New Year!

  9. New Year *Rebelutions*! I love it, Jennifer! Babysteps are my fave, too. If we are faithful in small things, God will take care of the rest. If only we can keep giving ourselves the break He has for us. I hope to be more free this year!