Out with the old, by Myra Johnson

Certain times of the year naturally bring a sense of newness and anticipation. When I was growing up, it was always September and the start of a new school year. In my adulthood, I get a similar feeling as the old year rolls into the new. Taking down the past year’s calendar is like closing a door, often on plans and goals that never saw completion. Hanging this year’s calendar is my chance to re-evaluate and begin again.

After dumping, culling, and reorganizing our kitchen junk drawer!

The problem sometimes, though, is holding on too tightly to things from the past—possessions, attitudes, perhaps even relationships. This winter my husband and I have tackled some heavy-duty purging of closets, shelves, and drawers. We found stashes of outdated computer accessories, ancient cordless phones, small appliances we’ve rarely used, expired contact lens solution (I haven’t worn contacts in 10 years!), and all sorts of other odds and ends. It’s amazing how much space we reclaimed by getting rid of useless junk.

Anybody else have a quesadilla maker lying around from the 1990s?

Cleaning up our attitudes can sometimes make an even bigger impact on our lives. A biggie for me is wasting time worrying over situations I have no control over. Another is harboring resentment over real or perceived slights. Do either of these emotions serve a helpful purpose? Usually not. 

Coming May 2019!

There are times, though, when our emotions can clue us in on faulty relationships—a friendship gone sour, a family member we just can’t seem to get through to anymore. When we’ve tried every possible step toward reconciliation, including fervently praying for God’s intervention, sometimes the only remaining option for preserving our own spiritual health is distance. The heroine of my upcoming Love Inspired romance, The Rancher’s Redemption, must do just that as she seeks freedom from the effects of her abusive first marriage.

Are there things in your life that are unnecessarily taking up space? Start with the simple things—that bulging bookshelf or overstuffed closet. When my husband went through his clothes, he discarded at least a dozen T-shirts, and probably still has twice that many! (Don’t ask me why!) Besides, it’s always possible that something you no longer use could fill a need for someone else.

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Myra Johnson writes emotionally gripping stories about love, life, and faith. She’s currently at work on a new Love Inspired mini-series, Hill Country Haven, with returning characters from Her Hill Country Cowboy and Hill Country Reunion. The first book in the series, The Rancher’s Redemption, is slated for a May 2019 release.

Also look for the updated editions of Myra’s earlier romances:

Autumn Rains

Romance by the Book

Where the Dogwoods Bloom

The Horsemen of Cross Roads Farm  (3-book collection)

Myra is a three-time Maggie Awards finalist, two-time finalist for the prestigious ACFW Carol Awards, winner of Christian Retailing’s Best for historical fiction, and winner in the Inspirational category of the National Excellence in Romance Fiction Awards. Originally from Texas but currently residing in the beautiful Carolinas, Myra and her husband love the climate and scenery, but they sorely miss bluebonnets and real Texas barbecue! The Johnsons share their home with two very pampered rescue dogs who don’t always understand the meaning of “Mom’s trying to write.” They’ve also inherited the cute little cat (complete with attitude) their daughter and family had to leave behind when they moved overseas.

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