Take on the New Year with Grace & Gratitude {+ A Look at December's Illustrated Faith Devotional Kit}

**Kit received as part of the Dayspring's Bible Journaling Launch Team. Post contains affiliate links- I will receive a small commission for any purchases made after clicking these links. All thoughts are 100% my own.

2018.

As the days tick down on yet another year passed, many of us start reflecting on the highlights of the previous year. Some of them good, some of them not. For many- myself included- 2018 has been rough. We are ready to put the year behind us.

That's the great thing about New Year's isn't it?

It's a time when we can get a fresh start. We can put everything that has happened in the previous year behind us, and look forward to something new. New year, new goals, new plans, a new attitude.

What better way can we start off the year than with Grace & Gratitude?

We've talked a lot about grace and gratitude in the last few months, but what do they really mean? How can we take them with us throughout the new year? Let's take a closer look:

grace/ɡrās/
noun
the free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings.

When we talk about fresh starts, I cannot help but think about the ultimate fresh start that we are given thanks to God's grace. It is not just in the new year, but every single day... we wake up with a chance to start all over. Not because we deserve it, but simply because God loves us. Each and every one of us.

Sometimes after a rough year, it can be tough to remember this. We feel as though we cannot possibly be worthy of that grace. We might know in our heads that this is wrong--- we've read the Bible, we know about the sacrifice on the cross... but it's still hard to wrap our minds around. We have to remember that we also need go grant ourselves some grace too. If God thinks we are worthy...who are we to argue?

Embracing grace in the new year is the only true way to be able to get that fresh start we so desire.

grat·i·tude/ˈɡradəˌt(y)o͞od/nounthe quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.

Try as we may, we cannot truly guarantee that 2019 will be a better year. We cannot predict what is to come, good or bad. Still, the Bible doesn't tell us to be thankful JUST for the good things that come our way, but in ALL things. When we remember to do that, it might not change our circumstances, but it can change our reaction to them.

Of courses, that's still easier said than done too. We're human, and sometimes we find ourselves feeling sorry for ourselves and struggling to feel grateful for the hard times as we are deep in trenches dealing with the. But that is again where that grace comes in. We aren't perfect, we aren't always going to do it right every time... but if we remember to give ourselves grace, we can try again each and every day.

Going into the new year with Grace & Gratitude truly is a great way to get the year off on the right foot, and the third and final Grace & Gratitude Kit from Illustrated Faith provides a great way to do just that. Take a look:

Join Shanna Noel on carrying grace and gratitude into the new year with bold strokes and beautiful colors of our December Illustrated Faith 'Grace & Gratitude' devotional kit. This kit will help you go into the new year with anticipation for a fresh start, new hope, and exciting adventures on the horizon! Fun new elements like a sticky note pad make this kit something you will reach for over and over throughout the month. The 4x6 clear stamp set gives you multiple words to help you kick off the year right and keep reminding yourself to look for grace and gratitude throughout 2019.

Each kit includes:

6 devotionals
1 washi tape
1 4x6 clear stamp set
1 sheet of acetate shapes
2 sheets of diecut pieces
1 sticky note pad
1 Grace & Gratitude stickers
1 surprise from Shanna
1 thank you card from Shanna





While I have loved each of the Grace & Gratitude kits, I must say that for me, the colors in this one are the best. They're bright, they're vibrant...and they go beautifully with the 100 Days of Grace and Gratitude Journal too. The abstract shapes and designs make it very versatile too. I could easily use it on its own, or mix and match with a wide variety of other styles already in my collection.

Colors aside, there are two elements of this kit that really stuck out to me. The first was the stamp set. Sometimes I must admit I'm a little weary of word stamps because I find I don't like to use the exact same words over and over again. These particular words however seem as though they'd be ones that I can use time and time again. The various abstract shaped stamps? Those I can use even more!

 The other element that I love is the new addition of these cute little scripture sticky notes. Not only can these be used in our journaling, but also for sermon notes, bible study and more. In fact, this kit in general I found could be used for a variety of purposes aside from journaling too. The tabs, the notes, the washi, the stamps... all can be perfect for planners too. So, whether your goals are to get more organized or spending more time in the word, this kit covers both aspects beautifully.

For many that started on November 1, this kit comes in a little over halfway through the 100 Days of Grace & Gratitude Journal. If this is you, you'll love how beautifully this kit will go along with those final days in the challenge. Some of us however are behind, or haven't yet started...and that's completely okay too! To be honest, I've been unable to use my dominant hand for over a month, and hope to be able to pick right back up with this kit when I'm able. No matter where you are in the journal, this will be a welcome addition to your pages. Not working through the journal? It works just as well on its own too with 5 devotionals that are perfect for the new year--- giving us reminders of God's plans. In a time where we're setting all of these plans ourselves, it's important to remember that His are always best. It's the perfect way to start the year with the Grace & Gratitude that we so desperately need.

Ready to get started? Head on over to Dayspring and grab yours today! And through Monday, December 17th all US orders ship FREE...no coupon code required.