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Sincerely January 2nd




Well… it is that time of year again.

I very much appreciate the above note…. It does not entirely embody what I envision for new year resolutions…. yet the reality of it hits very close to home. The realist in me appreciates the sincerity found in this humorous note. (I laughed out loud when I read it. I hope you at least smiled!)

While I do enjoy the 'freshness' the idea of a new year brings. There are definitely parts I detest.

First, the gym I try to frequent regularly will be very full the next few weeks, and parking was hard enough over the holidays.

Second, there are a lot of long Facebook posts and entire blog entries by others who seem to have their lives put together nicely including all that they will accomplish in 2016...I pray for them. Not in a cynical way. In a 'I-really-hope-you-succeed-and-when-you-fail-I-hope-you-look-to-God-and-continue-to-try-in-Him' sort of way.

Finally, it seems there is no real way to 'win' when it comes to new year resolutions. If you don't set resolutions, you're behind and possibly misguided... but if you do set them, you may be willingly signing up for defeat.

My hometown preacher shared today he doesn't make new year resolutions. Yet, he delivered a strong sermon on living for Christ not ourselves and outlined ways to do that for the next 362 days. My mom also joked this past weekend that she resolves to make no resolutions. Mom claims to not make new year resolutions because they seem to become a list of failures. (Unfortunately, I completely understand what she means.) Even my husband shared he didn't do well on last year's resolutions, so he should just roll those over.

I personally thrive on having goals. I also enjoy plans. Yet, I openly and prayerfully consider life goals (especially when considering what they should be for the entire year) with the realization that this life is not my own. I live for Christ's gain. 

 "A man's heart plans his ways, but the Lord directs his steps." Proverbs 16:9

If I could simply remember that I live for Christ's gain and that He directs me and embody that in every way possible, what a year it would be!!

May your New Year be full of all that God has planned for you!

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