By Katie, Contributing Writer

It’s quite a blessing to begin a new year, don’t you think? New chances, new experiences, new possibilities. It’s almost like a fresh start.

As I began thinking about the coming year, it got me thinking about what has happened since this time last year. Bear with me; a little nostalgia is sometimes a good thing.

I thought about things I have learned this past year, from tough lessons and issues that reared their ugly heads to victories over struggles though God’s strength and just seeing God work over all in my life.

As a stay at home mom and wife, there are always areas that I want to work on. Things like keeping the house more tidy, Cooking healthier meals for my family, being a more understanding and caring wife, and treating my children with respect while still guiding and directing their little steps. And all of those things are important. I do believe that God has similar things that He wants to change in me as well. He just has a different way of doing things than I do.

Stepping into 2013, I had a vision for what I would strive to be as a mother, a wife, and a homemaker.

**Spoiler alert** (or not)… God had other plans. Doesn’t He always?

I saw myself more patient, more positive, more dependable, more self-controlled, and maybe a little thinner. 😉 I’m not here to say that those things didn’t happen. Most of them did happen. I’m here to say that the way God had those changes come about was not the way I expected.

In January of 2013, I was tired, cranky, easily frustrated, anxious and unhealthy.

Mostly, I began praying earnestly that God would change my heart toward my family and allow me to be patient and calm when dealing with them. It was a struggle that seemed to have no freedom. Without realizing it, I had limited God and His power to withdraw sin from my life.

But God did not withhold His freedom. In fact, He showed it in every area of my life from that point on. For months on end, I was seeing evidence of  a new heart and new desires that God had given me. He sent His power into my very soul and instead of dealing with silence that we sometimes get from God, I found myself in a torrential downpour of God’s grace and wisdom. A firehose of truth, if you will.

There are probably hundreds of things that I learned this year. I can’t even pinpoint each change specifically, but I do know that God changed my heart and mind toward Him.

So what’s the point?

There have only been a few times in my life where I have really heard God’s voice. From what I can remember, those moments came when I was completely vulnerable and willing to hear Him. Most of those moments come when we are weak, afraid….broken.

He knows our hearts and our motivation. He also knows what we need to become fully committed to Him. When we are at our weakest, His strength shines through and His power brings us back where we need to be….at His feet.

So what’s holding you back? Is it pain? Fear? Pride? Desires? Perhaps you’re feeling so low, you don’t know where to go from here. Well let me tell you from experience, there is nothing God can’t heal. There’s nothing God can’t cure. There’s nothing He won’t do to have you near Him.

As you begin 2014, setting goals and plans can be a good thing. Resolutions to get fit, eat better, be more patient, or learn a new skill are positive aspirations. But don’t let your goals for the new year blind you from what God has for you. Seek His power, His will, His love and His freedom. You’ll never regret it.