What’s the point of making resolutions if we don’t actually follow through? Most people can’t even remember what their resolutions were. I don’t usually make resolutions, but last year I was challenged to make a vision board with goals that I had for myself for the new year. So let’s see if I did them.
- “I want to continue drawing closer to God, yielding to His Spirit moment by moment.” I’ve actually done this, more this year than ever before. I would still love to feel the presence of God in greater measure. There have been times in my life where the presence of the Holy Spirit was so intense. Unfortunately those were times when I had the greatest need for Him. In other words, it seems like suffering brings on the Holy Spirit because I’m more likely to fling my soul in His direction. But I’m reluctant to pray for suffering. There must be a way to walk in the presence of God in great measure without all the suffering. If I find the answer, I’ll let you know.
- “I would like to go on more dates with my husband this year.” Technically, this did not happen. Sometimes our dates were separated by a month or two. Then in September we signed our children up for Awana, and Tuesday nights are now our date nights.
- “I want to stop yelling at my children. I’ve grown a lot in this area, but by the end of the year, I want to be at a point where I never yell whatsoever. Wouldn’t that be cool?” Umm… I have no idea if I’ve grown in this area. To “never yell whatsoever” I think was a bit ambitious. I can’t remember the last time I yelled at the kids, but I’m sure I have.
- “I want to listen to my children more, to understand their heartbeat and deepen their walk with God.” I did this, but I probably could have done it more. I need to intentionally spend time one-on-one with my kids in deep conversation. Their time with me is so short. I’ll blink, and they will be grown. Just watch.
- “I don’t want to live a virtual life. I want my life to be real.” Well, I took the summer off from the internet. So that’s something. But I’ve decided that people online are also real people. I just want to yield to God and ask Him what I ought to be doing. It’s not a sin to be on the computer unless it’s taking away from something I’m supposed to be doing.
- “I want to live in the moment and to enjoy my husband and children, really enjoy them.” Yes, I did this! I want so much to continue to do this.
- “I’d like to spend more time in the garden and make it look prettier, so that we have a peaceful haven just outside our own house.” Umm… No. I didn’t do this whatsoever. In fact, I let the garden die completely. The sprinkler system broke right before the Seattle and Portland conferences, and my husband said to me, “Either I fix the sprinkler system, or we cut your DVD’s.” That was a no-brainer. Bye bye, garden.
- “I want to lose 17 pounds.” Nope. But I did something better than that. I learned to love my body. I started Zumba this year and have done it consistently. I’ve had more muscle tone this year than ever, and I’m 41. I finally accept my body, but I also exercise consistently. I haven’t weighed myself in a long time. How about that? I don’t care that I’m not perfect. I feel comfortable in my own skin, and that’s saying a lot.
- “I want to laugh more.” I’ve cried a lot this year, but I think I’ve also laughed more. I discovered that I enjoy writing humor.
- “I would love, love, love to have a second honeymoon with my darling husband this coming summer. I’d like to go to the Bahamas.” Yes. I don’t know how in tarnation we pulled that off financially without going into debt. It was just a sweet miracle from God.
