For This House
Every Season. Every Space. All for Him.
Every Season. Every Space. All for Him.
It’s early in 2025, and those New Year’s goals—whether boldly proclaimed or quietly held close—are starting to feel heavy. If you’re anything like me, the pursuit of consistency can often lead to feelings of falling short or failing altogether.
As I navigate this season of life, expecting our second child in May, I know better than to set massive, life-altering resolutions. Instead, I chose simple goals: going to bed with a tidy kitchen, reading more, sleeping more, getting outside daily, and finding ways to move my body in mundane moments.
Yet here we are, less than two weeks into January, and I’m already struggling to align my actual self to my ideal expectations. I find myself humbled by this quote: “We are all what we repeatedly do. Excellence then is not an act, but a habit.” It reminds me that true progress isn’t about perfection but persistence. Missing one day doesn’t mean starting over or giving up—it’s about developing habits that become our new normal rhythm, which takes both intentionality and grace.
It’s easy to become overwhelmed by our own expectations when pursuing goals. No matter what you’re working toward, remember that your worth isn’t tied to your achievements. God’s grace provides the perfect foundation for growth, not because we’re perfect, but because we’re perfectly loved despite our imperfections.
Success rarely happens in giant leaps. Instead of focusing on what you haven’t achieved, acknowledge your progress. Did you read for 10 minutes instead of your goal of 30? That’s 10 minutes of growth you wouldn’t have had otherwise—these small victories compound over time, creating the habits that lead to excellence.
Reflection should strengthen our journey forward, not become ammunition for negative self-talk. When you reflect on your day, pause and ask yourself:
Remember, excellence is achieved through consistent, intentional actions. As you work toward your goals, focus less on the gap between where you are and where you want to be and more on the daily choices that move you forward.
The path to achieving our goals isn’t always linear, but it’s in the trying, the getting back up, and the pressing forward that we develop the character and habits that lead to lasting change.
Take heart in knowing that your goals aren’t just about the satisfaction of accomplishment—it’s about the daily work leading you there. Keep showing up, keep taking those small steps, and trust that your faithful efforts will bear fruit in due time.
Lord, help me to embrace growth with grace. Guide me in setting goals that honor you and the season of life you’ve placed me in. Give me wisdom to know when to push forward and when to rest, always remembering that my worth comes from you, not my achievements. Amen.
Ally is the primary founder of For This House. She just finished renovating a cute, old house in small town Washington where she lives with her husband and young son. Ally is a teacher by trade, but also enjoys library cookbooks and watching Downton Abbey. Learn more about Ally.