Writers, Embrace the Imperfections in the New Year

by Beth K. Vogt @BethVogt
My new year is starting out like all other new years—with me getting the date wrong. More than once, I wrote 2023 and then had to scratch it out and write 2024. Worse yet was when I tried to turn the “3” into a “4,” making a numerical mess. Then there was the morning I spent a few minutes correcting several days’ worth of dates in two different journals—my prayer journal and one where I write out scripture verses.
Sigh.
Maybe you’re familiar with the quote by novelist L.M. Montgomery of Anne of Green Gables fame: “Isn't it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?”
That’s how we all approach a new year: with hope, high expectations, and happiness that there are no mistakes in it … yet. No disappointments … yet. No setbacks … yet. 
Then we woke up on the first day of January and we found that—REALITY CHECK—the lives we were living in our brand-new year were the same lives we were living in that not-so-distant last year. 
New calendar—same challenges. That manuscript you didn’t finish in 2023? Still not finished. The reply you were waiting for from that editor or agent? Still waiting.The muddled middle of your work in progress? Still a jumble of chapters waiting to be put in order. Personal struggles that competed with your writing goals? Still requiring your time, attention, and prayers. 
What’s the point of celebrating a new year anyway if nothing changes?
Ah. There’s the point. 
Change. 
What can we change?
When we can’t change our circumstances, we can change our ourselves—our perspective, our attitude—one choice, one thought at a time.
It’s not about pace, it’s about intention.
We’ve got an entire year ahead of us. We’ll encounter success and sadness and mistakes and chances to cheer one another along and reasons to tell God thank you and tears and always, always the unexpected. 
One truth to cling to as we progress through this year? Psalm 139:5 (NASB): You have enclosed me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me.
How comforting to embrace the certainty that God has “enclosed” us—secured us—by going ahead of us into the great unknown of this year. That He also follows us as we move through each day. 
What truths are you taking into this imperfect year to help you celebrate your successes and conquer your challenges?
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Beth K. Vogt believes God’s best often waits behind the doors marked “Never.” She’s authored 15 novels and novellas, both contemporary romance and women’s fiction. Beth is a Christy Award winner, an ACFW Carol Award winner, and a  RITA® finalist. Her newest contemporary romance novel, Dedicated to the One I Love, released June 20, 2023. Her novel Things I Never Told You, book one in her Thatcher Sisters Series by Tyndale House Publishers, won the 2019 AWSA Golden Scroll Award for Contemporary Novel of the Year. An established magazine writer and former editor of the leadership magazine for MOPS International, Beth blogs for Learn How to Write a Novel and The Write Conversation and also enjoys speaking to writers group and mentoring other writers. She lives in Colorado with her husband Rob, who has adjusted to discussing the lives of imaginary people. Connect with Beth at bethvogt.com.