Ep. 68 Two Reflection Questions for a Grace-Filled Year

Are you longing for a gentle, thoughtful start to your year? These two reflection questions for a grace-filled year offer space to breathe, and to notice and invite God into what’s truly life-giving. January doesn’t magically erase December’s grief, stress, or exhaustion—but it does offer a quiet invitation to pause, reflect, and listen for what your soul needs as you enter a new season. In this episode, I share how I’ve learned to appreciate January not as a month of pressure and hustle, but as a tender reset where God meets us in the quiet. Inspired by Emily P. Freeman’s reminder that “reflection is a lifestyle, not a one-time event,” I walk through two simple yet deeply grounding questions that help uncover what God is teaching, restoring, and nurturing in us. 🌿 The Two Reflection Questions 1️⃣ What was life-giving? 2️⃣ What was life-draining? I share honestly from my own reflections—like the ways ignoring food sensitivities and trying to manage other people’s emotions drained life from me this past year. And I talk about the gentle, grace-filled practices that breathed life back in: breath prayers, worship songs, and choosing a word of the year. These questions aren’t about performance or perfection. They are an invitation into grace, awareness, and partnering with God as He leads you forward. 💛 In This Episode You’ll Hear: Why January can feel hard—and how God meets us there Why reflection isn’t about being “late” or “behind” How these two simple questions can reshape your spiritual and emotional health Real-life examples of draining patterns and life-giving rhythms Encouragement to move into the year with compassion, clarity, and grace Whether you’re grieving, hopeful, exhausted, or somewhere in between, you’re not behind. You’re right on time. And God is with you—inviting you to notice, breathe, and step forward in grace with Him. Resources Mentioned: 🎶So Much Grace by Jonathan David & Melissa Helser 🎶Roses by Andrew Ripp Related Episodes: Ep. 21 A Word of the Year to Transform Your 2025 | Jennifer Sakata Ep. 8 Live Slowly: A Gentle Invitation to Exhale | Jody H. Grubbs Ep. 24 The Power of New Beginnings in Genesis 1 | Jennifer Sakata Stay Connected with Jennifer Sakata: 🎁 My FREE gift to you: Prayers That Change Us 📩 Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive content & episode updates ⭐ If this episode resonated with you, leave a review and share it with a friend!