12/26/2025
🌱 The “you’re not behind” trend is quietly setting a lot of us up to carry the same habits and patterns into a new year. Then we end up right back at the end of the year with unfinished God given assignments.
🍬 I had to be honest with me. Telling myself, “Nanette, you’re not behind,” was sometimes my way of comforting myself so I didn’t have to face the hard candy truth. I let distractions, hindering habits, and old patterns delay what I knew God instructed me to do.
🌱I understand the heart behind those “you’re not behind” posts. A lot of that content is trying to comfort people out of self-imposed shame and discouragement. And I’m not here to condemn anyone. But sometimes comfort that blurs truth keeps us stuck.
Consider Jonah. He was told to go to Nineveh and he did not. His delay was not random. It was connected to what was happening internally, including fear, resistance, and an unwillingness to obey. When he finally went, God still used him, but he was behind schedule on that assignment.
Here’s the distinction. You’re not behind in value, and you’re not behind in being loved. But if God gave you specific instructions and you delayed, you can be behind on the assignment.
Now hear the grace. God wastes nothing. Even delays can be redeemed and used. But a detour is still a detour. So I’m choosing to clear the deck before the year turns. I’m releasing the clutter that blocks clarity, so I can move with obedience, focus, and freedom.
🌱So the last two weeks of the year, I take off to “clear the deck”.
Clearing the Deck is my way of saying. I’m not going into the new year with drag. I’m closing loops. I’m releasing weight. I’m getting my yes back. I’m getting my hearing back. I’m getting my ex*****on back.
If you’re doing this with me, comment DECK.
~ Dr. Nanette Floyd Patterson, LCMHC & Master HIScoach
