4 Ways I'll be Increasing in 2022

In her book The Writing Life, Annie Dillard wrote, "How we spend our days, is, of course, how we spend our lives." And since I was gifted only one life, I'd like to spend it well. 

With the turning of a new year comes a chance to reflect on what was and look ahead to what will be. It's a chance to evaluate and make adjustments to how I'm spending my days. I'm not one to make New Year's resolutions. A lofty plan is often unattainable and a precursor to failure. I have no desire to start my year out with feelings of defeat. But, while I never make resolutions, I'm always resolute. I'm firm in my resolve to make slow-and-steady progress.

(This post contains affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for full details.)

Luke 2:52 records that throughout His life, Jesus increased in wisdom, in stature, and in favor with God and man. As I look ahead to 2022 and determine with the Holy Spirit's help how I can make incremental steps of change in my life, I'd do well to follow that same pattern of growth. 

Here are four ways I'll be using my days in 2022.

In Wisdom

To speak the language of love my husband most understands, I bought him a National Parks Passport book and the National Bestselling travel memoir, Leave No Footprints: My Acadia-to-Zion Journey Through Every National Park for Christmas. The gifted duo came with a promise that I'd read it with him and that when we're done, we will visit one of the parks during our 20th-anniversary trip later this coming year.

When we were newly married, we used to read together quite often--marriage books, parenting books, devotional books. But then the busyness of life squeezed in and our reading time was pushed out. I'm hoping that as a natural side effect of starting our year by reading his Christmas book together, we'll be able to reestablish the habit. Reading aloud to each other not only gives us some meaningful alone time but also cultivates great talking points and conversation starters for us throughout the week. 

In Stature

Speaking of Christmas presents, I bought myself a cookbook this year. I wrapped it and put it under the tree and everything. (Which in hindsight is just silly because my husband always buys me a ridiculous amount of gifts. If I had just mentioned it to him, I know he would have happily thrown the book in with his other purchases for me. But alas...)

I've wanted to cook my way through an entire recipe book for many years now and I think this is the year! Last fall, I checked out several cookbooks from the library in hopes of finding one that offered an array of recipes that were doable, family-friendly, made of real ingredients, and that would not include too many duplicates of recipes I already make. I settled on Magnolia Table, Volume 2, and bought it.

To be honest, I'm a minimalist. I don't generally keep cookbooks. I copy the recipes I've tried and have liked and add the copies to an ever-growing 3-ring binder of clear plastic sleeves that holds our family favorites. Magnolia Table, Volume 2 might end up being a rare exception. I plan to write notes in the margin of the pages as I work my way through each of the recipes. I'll include the date or occasion of the meal, any substitutions or changes I'd make to the ingredient list in the future, and my family's overall review of the dish. 

Since there are 145 recipes in the book, I'll need to make three a week to reach my goal. Fortunately, a handful of the entries have to be made together in order to complete a dish...like dinner rolls and the herb butter that is generally served alongside them.

Since I don't own a kitchen torch, I will either have to excuse myself from making crème brûlée or I'll have to buy myself a Christmas present again next year in order to finish the entire collection by December 31, 2022.

In Favor with God

This past year, some women at my church began meeting once a week to go through a Bible study together on Tuesday mornings. Since homeschooling is my first priority on weekdays, I was not able to join them. In January, however, they'll be diving into Jen Wilkin's workbook on 1 Peter. Although I still can't make the in-person meetings, I'm hoping to do the study at home in order that I can be unified in growth with the ladies of my local community of believers.

Additionally, I'll be launching my second book with Moody Publishers this coming September. My prayer is that the words God has prompted me to write will help many women learn to use their homes for Gospel purposes.  

In Favor with Man

Last year, I set a goal for myself to write a note of encouragement to someone each week--the kind that requires old-timey, non-digital delivery--the kind that bears a stamp. To my knowledge, no one has ever said, "I'm far too encouraged today." And with the kind of year we had in 2019, I figured that notes to friends would have a rippling effect. One person would be encouraged and would hopefully pay it forward to someone else, creating big lavish waves of kindness.

But by mid-March my plan sort of fizzled. Turns out, I don't have the mailing addresses of most of my real-life friends.

This year, I'm starting the year by collecting all the addresses in advance. I've asked around and have created a handy spreadsheet of names and addresses. I've also gathered a stack of blank notes cards that have me just itching to get started like these cute book-themed Bibliophile ones and these alpaca-inspired ones (because a picture of an alpaca can make anyone smile.)

A Final Word

Proverbs 16:9 was the theme song of my days in the weird, wonky year that was 2021.

"The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps."

But while the past twelve months may not have turned out exactly as I had planned, they did not take God by surprise. He was there holding up all my disappointments, all my fractured friendships, all my misplaced expectations, and establishing my steps in a different direction.

This time around, as I look ahead to the next 365 days, I'm still making plans. But I'm holding those plans loosely. I'm leaning into 2022 with great expectations. How about you?

Got any 2022 goals? How will you be increasing in the coming year?

Set your homeschool day on autopilot!

Thank you! Your task cards will be sent to your inbox shortly.

Set your homeschool day on autopilot!

No more nagging your kids to do their work. Grab my free Task Cards today.