By Becky Yauger, @RebeccaYauger

We’re in the midst of the holiday season, and I’m eagerly awaiting the arrival of a new grandchild! Despite all of the busyness right now, it’s a natural time to reflect on this past year while anticipating the coming year.

As I make plans, and list my dreams and goals for 2019, I find myself thinking about the blog posts I’ve written for Novel Academy.

While I hope many of you have found inspiration and encouragement, I realize that more often than not, I was talking to myself as I wrote those posts. And without me even consciously being aware of it, there was a main theme that ran through all of the posts, and that is: reliance on God.

Time and again, I talked about being prayerful, believing in God’s plan for our writing (and our lives, for that matter), and trusting God, not only for the journey and the ultimate results, but trusting Him day-to-day. I spoke of knowing He is there to provide all we need when we’re feeling overwhelmed as we go to Him in prayer first.

Reflecting on 2018, it’s easy to see that God has been there every step of the way, through the difficult times as well as the joyful moments.

While I didn’t accomplish all of my goals this year, I know that with every new day, God gives me another chance. I’ve learned that nothing will be accomplished until I lean into God and have complete reliance on Him.

I’m thankful for the tools he provides, like computers, writing friends, planners (My Brilliant Planner, for one) and organizations like Novel Academy and ACFW. However, I won’t be able to accomplish anything until I completely open myself up to His will and His provision for my life.

To paraphrase Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”

I look forward to walking with our Savior every day and seeing all He will provide next year, especially the safe and healthy arrival of my grandchild!

Here’s to a blessed 2019 and gratitude for the lessons of 2018.

Rebecca Yauger worked for 15 years in radio and television broadcasting, before starting on her writing career. She’s been published in Chicken Soup for the Soul and Guideposts Magazine and continues to scribble away on various projects. She also blogs at www.TalkingAmongFriends.com. Becky was past Vice-President and Membership Director for American Christian Fiction Writers (www.acfw.com), and currently serves as ACFW’s Web Manager. Becky and her husband live near Dallas, and have two grown children, one beautiful grandchild with another one on the way.