And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you.  Ezekiel 36:26a NLT

For the last couple of years, I’ve chosen my #OneWord365 to pray through and meditate on throughout the new season.  Past words include SIMPLE and REVEAL.  And beyond a shadow of a doubt, these words have shaped me into who I am moving into 2019.

A few weeks back, my sweet friend Tori (@thedahlfarmhouse) posted something on Instagram about needing a RESET. And right then and there, a chord was struck in my spirit and I felt the divine check calling me to the same.  To RESET.

If I’m being perfectly honest, back in the fall of 2016 as I prepared for surgery for endometriosis, I felt the same check in my spirit, but didn’t heed the warning like I was supposed to. I’ve written about that here.  While I definitely DO NOT believe the Lord caused the complications I experienced, I do believe He was teaching me a valuable lesson in listening and obeying His promptings.  Thus, hearing some of the same things at the end of 2017, I prayed through the word REVEAL during 2018, and now firmly feel the Lord is calling me to a season of RESET.

Thus, I’m letting some things go, to RESET things that matter.  I’ve repeatedly shared how I’m adamant my story not be lived in vain. And while I think I’ve done an okay job of sharing the restoration of my life alongside the restoration of my home, there’s way more work to be done and story to be told.  And in order to do that, I need to time to write and to create.  Y’all, all this is the Lord’s handiwork… everything you see is coming straight from Him. While I’ve mostly always been sorta crafty, it’s like the last 2 years, He has brought something out in me I never knew existed.  Almost every time I create something, I seriously stand back in awe and sheer surprise it came from my hands. Thus, I feel the continued call to create  (in the words of my friend Jordan Raynor).

In addition, I cannot tell you the amount of DMs I’ve received on social media this year sharing how my posts and words have encouraged and touched lives.  I mean, every single Facebook/Instagram post is basically a mini-blog and I put a great amount of time into preparing and planning content.  I ask the Lord to allow His words to flow through me.  Based on the feedback I’ve received, I sorta think that might be happening.

Soooo, as I’ve been praying through REVEAL during 2018, it is evident the Lord is calling me to RESET and focus more of my energy, time and talents on bringing glory to Him.

I’m sure, right about now, you’re thinking, “Ok, so what does this mean, Sara?”

First of all, as I shared in my Christmas note, my amazing company has allowed me to make some significant changes with my day job that will allow me to be home more and free me up to answer this call to create.  It’s a decision I have been mulling over with them for at least 5 years now, so they weren’t totally surprised.  And as I prayed through REVEAL during 2018, around May it became evidently clear that 2019 was the year to RESET.  While I still will be traveling, it won’t be the three, four and sometimes five nights a week I’ve been doing for ten and half years!  Can you believe that?  On and off an airplane and in and out of my car every week for ten and half years.  Between the travel, actual workload, the small amount of social media I do daily, a small semblance of a personal life, running an AirBNB and also general household responsibilities, little time has been left to answer the call to create or to serve. So a RESET is needed.  And I’m heeding the call.

I HATE to even put this out there, for fear of lack of follow through, but I think I’m finally ready to write a book. In the early days of my marriage falling apart, I was determined to write a Lifetime movie script and bring you guys along with all the twists, turns and turmoil I experienced between 2009-2011.  But when I ponder that script, it’s filled with spite and revenge and that’s not where my heart is today. So I’m letting the original screenplay fall away, in lieu of the beautiful redemption story the Lord is calling me to share.  This story is filled with hope and restoration and not an ounce of evil.  I mean that with my whole heart!  I wish in 2009 I could have seen what my life would be like in 2019. But like Saul, the Lord couldn’t REVEAL too much at one time. I had to work through the process to have the scales fall from my eyes. So in this upcoming year of RESET, I’m hoping to MAYBE become a real author and share a tale that will encourage others to search for hope and redemption in the middle of immense trial.

In addition, I plan on continuing to use Simply Southern Cottage as a visual representation of real life redemption.  Thus, I’m exploring new ways of growing this brand to reach a wider audience allowing me to further to tell this story about the redeeming power of Jesus.  Coming soon, you will see a complete relaunch of SimplySouthernCottage.com.  I’ve had conversations with experts in the field about changes I can make immediately and give this site a shiny, new coat of paint. I’m SUPER excited about this and will share more hopefully toward the end of January.

Back in the fall, you may remember I donated a private tour of my cottage and brunch to the Dorcheat Historical Museum’s annual silent auction.  The winner actually surprised her daughter and 5 friends with this event and y’all, we had SO much fun. I loved hosting this small gathering in my home. I’ll be donating the same for the upcoming Minden St. Jude Auction (Minden donates more to St. Jude per capita than any other city!).  After that, I’ll be exploring offering the cottage for small gatherings (showers, teas, brunches, photography sessions, etc.) and will post more about that soon.

I’ve also begun to dabble in partnerships and collaborations with brands and businesses online.  It’s extremely humbling when I get these big shares and recognition from national magazines and brands.  I feel so unworthy and quickly fall into the comparison trap, looking at the accounts and girls these brands consistently share and partner with.  I’m just little ole me y’all!  Just out here doing my thing and sharing my story, that’s it. BUT, if these shares and partnerships bring greater awareness to my story and what Jesus can do in ANYONE’s life, then I am ALL in. I will be SUPER selective on who I choose to partner with and will never sell out for something I don’t truly love or believe in.  I’ve had to politely decline several opportunities already because they honestly just were not a fit for my audience or home.

And y’all, I have to RESET my service work.  I was SO active in Corpus, and that aspect of my life has really taken a backseat to all of the things I mentioned above.  And this saddens my heart greatly.  And I haven’t been to Guatemala in two years!  I can hardly stand the thought.  HOPEFULLY 2019 will be the year I return.  During 2018, I began partnering with the Joe LeBlanc Food Pantry here in Minden (as a driver) and y’all, this has given me LIFE.  I have three families I take groceries to and they are SUCH a joy to my soul!  All that being said, it’s essential I start plugging into more community and church activities and giving back to the Lord (with my time) for the gracious mercy He has shown to me.

Finally, ugh I need to RESET my body.  Before my surgery in 2016, I was in the best shape of my life. I was running regularly, eating right and just all around healthy. And since my recovery took about 6 months, I haven’t gotten back into running or really anything consistent.  AND y’all I haven’t played tennis in almost 4 years! *face palm* I played tennis all growing up and UTSA league when I lived in El Dorado and also Corpus. And let me tell y’all, IT IS TIME FOR THAT AGAIN. I SO love tennis because it is truly the one sport you can play until you die (basically, lol).  It was VERY common for me to compete against women in their 70s and 80s and sometimes they would whip my tail. So like the rest of the world on Jan. 1st, I’m resolving to RESET my body in addition to everything else!

With all of this being said, I cannot wait for 2019 to unfold.  I can’t wait to RESET my priorities and focus to bring greater glory and honor to HE that makes ALL THINGS NEW! Am I excited? Absolutely. Am I scared?  YEP.  But I’ve learned glory is revealed through sheer obedience. I’ve also learned great reward is often birthed from great risk.  So I’m entering 2019, doing it scared, RESETTING my life, watching and waiting for the glory of the Lord to unfold.

PS: Y’all, I cannot do this alone. I’ll need you guys more than ever over the course of the year.  Would you guys commit to helping me share my story throughout 2019?  ANYTHING and everything is appreciated.  Whether you share on social media, verbally with a friend, text or email a link, etc., etc., you guys have the power to help me spread the redeeming power of Christ. Help me continue to PUNCH evil in the face.

And PSS:  What if 2019 includes a RESET of another home? Hmmmm 😉 Let’s see what the Lord has planned!

Have you chosen a word of the year? If so, I’d love for you to share more in the comments below.  I truly feel our #OneWord365 has power to shape our destiny! And if you haven’t chosen a word yet, no worries! Pray and see what the Lord reveals to you!