I like Mondays. To me, they represent new beginnings. I enjoy fresh starts like a new school year, a new Bible study class, or the first page of a new book. And meeting new friends? It’s my favorite hobby. 

Maybe your preferences differ, but each of us has the privilege to celebrate a new year. Let’s lead our families to approach it with joy, anticipating God’s blessings. 

If we sing and dance our way into the new year, will our family’s plans and desires consistently match ours? Will every single day sparkle with sunshine, perfect meals, and haloed children? Nope, it won’t happen. Not a chance. 

Let’s be realistic. 

A newborn’s sleepless nights, a toddler’s temper tantrums, or a teen’s shifting mood swings will knock us off balance in the middle of our pirouette. A discussion (or ahem, argument) with our spouse may threaten our composure. 

The annoying habits of other people may screech like sour, high-pitched notes and set our teeth on edge. Prices may rise like a soprano’s aria, and emotions may plummet like the bass singer’s notes in a quartet.   

And the beat goes on, all while we plan to dance through a joyous afternoon and sing soft, sweet lullabies to our babies at night. That’s reality—challenges amid blessings. 

How then can we sing and dance our way into the new year with joy? My friends, we can slip on our dancing shoes and warm up our vocal cords because God is faithful. We can trust His work in our daily lives. He cares for us and gives us a new song to sing, one composed with clear notes of hope, joy, and peace. 

David, the psalmist, said of God,

He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.

Psalm 40:2-3 NIV

The world’s music is often less than melodious, but God’s faithfulness and the abundant life of Christ in us give our hearts reasons to sing and dance. Even in the mud-and-mire days, we can trust Him to place our feet on solid ground and steady us to dance.

During our next twelve-month adventure, imagine who might see God’s power at work in our lives and be amazed. Which little ones will notice how we respond? Maybe a friend, relative, or neighbor needs to know God is good. Learning new dance steps while God directs our paths (Psalm 37:23-24) and stretches our vocal range in testimonies of prayer and praise, will honor the Lord and encourage our hearts and those around us.

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How can we sing and dance our way into the new year? @jeanniewaters44 #2022 #Family

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Would refreshment of the routine or a new idea for meeting challenges help your family embrace the new year with joy? Here are six suggestions to consider. 

Six Ways to Improve Your Family’s Rhythm This Year 

Tweak the schedule to make life easier

• Get up fifteen minutes earlier or start bedtime routines sooner. 
• Select a specific day for each weekly task.

Encourage new attitudes 

• Model morning cheerfulness.
• Extend gratitude for helpfulness and kindness.

Create a new, more productive routine list

• As children age, award and teach a new task.
• Invite a spouse or older child to plan a weekend meal.

Cultivate new ways to worship as a family 

• Play praise music softly as children prepare for bed.
• Post a new verse each week and discuss its meaning.

Pursue new ways to minister to family members and people outside your home

• Listen more attentively to shared frustrations.
• Mail children’s artwork to relatives and visit with elderly neighbors who have no local family.

Approach changes gradually

• Discuss your ideas with family members and listen to their suggestions.
• Remember to extend grace and remain flexible. 

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With new resolve and tweaks to our families’ plans, let’s strike up the band and tune the chorus. Throw open the door of your heart, welcome the new year with singing and dancing, and ask God to fill your heart with joy. We can trust Him to give us a new song. 

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13 NIV

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Six ways to improve your family’s rhythm this year @jeanniewaters44 #Parenthood #Family

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