A new year always arrives with big expectations—fresh starts, bold goals, the pressure to “finally get it right.” But what if the most transformative resolution we could make is surprisingly simple? What if this year we chose, above all else, is to develop the habit of becoming friends with God?
St. Teresa of Avila gives us a starting point that feels both ancient and modern:
“For prayer is nothing else than being on terms of friendship with God.”
Friendship. Not performance. Not perfection. Not a spiritual to‑do list. Friendship.
Think about your closest friends, you don’t schedule elaborate speeches for them, or wait until your life is perfectly organized before you reach out. You text them from the grocery store. You call them on your commute. You sit with them in silence when you don’t have the words. Friendship is built in the small, ordinary moments.
And that’s exactly where God wants to meet us.
The spiritual masters remind us that trust and fidelity in the present moment are the real path to happiness and holiness. The more you trust God, the happier you will be… If you take care of the little things, the big things will take care of themselves. Be faithful to the duty of the present moment. Do it for the Lord, and be at peace.
This is refreshingly doable. You don’t have to overhaul your life. You don’t have to pray like a mystic. You don’t have to wait until you feel “ready.” You can begin right now—today—by offering God the next small thing:
- The email you’re avoiding
- The sink full of dishes
- The ride to school with a restless child
- The quiet breath before a difficult conversation
- The moment you choose gratitude instead of scrolling
These tiny acts, done with God and for God, become the building blocks of friendship. Over time, they soften the heart, steady the mind, and open space for joy.
So as the year begins, let’s choose a resolution that won’t fade by February. Let’s choose friendship with the One who already delights in us and make it a daily habit. Let’s trust Him with the little things and let Him take care of the rest.
May this be the year we walk with God not as strangers or servants, but as friends—faithful in the present moment, peaceful in His presence, and free to become who we truly are.
Smitten With Goodness 