But the reality is every year I have just about the same body I had the year before. I'm just about as fit as I was the year before. I've read a few more books, seen a few more museums and checked a couple more items of the bucket list of life.
Ultimately, my life goal is to be a Proverbs 31 woman. At the end, I hope it can be said, as in Miss Rumphius, (with God's help and guidance) I've done my part to make the world a little more beautiful.
This year rather than taking the same approach to goal setting, I'm going to proceed a bit differently and go back to basics. Thinking about the new year and setting goals, I was impressed to consider Exodus and the 10 Commandments. A fresh look at these well known Commandments offers guidelines to everyday living in 2012. After each commandment, I'll insert my own personal application.
1) YOU SHALL HAVE NO OTHER GODS BEFORE ME
No other gods before the One True Holy God.
My resolution: Do not bow to the god of materialism, the god of security, the god of comfort, the god of gluttony/food, the god of obsessive behavior, the god of money, the god of health and fitness, the god of busyness, the god of perfectionism, or any other god that would take first place in my life over GOD. I shall be loyal to God.
2) YOU SHALL NOT MAKE ANY GRAVEN IMAGE
Worship shall be directed to God alone.
My resolution: Continuing to develop, know and worship God will be a daily part of life. I will continue to share God's love with our kids.
3) YOU SHALL NOT TAKE THE NAME OF THE LORD YOUR GOD IN VAIN
Speaking God's name shall be done in respect and with honor.
My resolution: When I speak of God, I will honor His goodness and blessings He's placed in our life. One of my favorite sayings will still ring true, "God is Good All the Time!"
4) REMEMBER THE SABBATH DAY AND KEEP IT HOLY
Honoring God by slowing down and resting.
My resolution: This is a hard one for me. Taking time to slow down feels like wasting precious hours. It will be hard to take time to slow down, rest and allow time for God to speak, restore, and rejuvenate, but as a commandment, I realize it must be important. I will rest. When I don't, please remind me of #4! Seeking accountability here!
5) HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER
God has blessed me with great parents, grandparents and in-laws.
My resolution: I will respect and honor my parents, grandparents and in-laws. They were placed in my life by God. I will cherish family history and strive to learn more about our forefathers who were so instrumental in making us who we are today. It is a goal to begin an ancestry study this year.
6) YOU SHALL NOT MURDER
Have reverence for life and respect those around you.
My resolution: I will continue to support organizations who work to support and honor life. I will continue to support organizations like Childcare Worldwide that seek to save the lives of children around the globe. I will be open and consider opportunities God places in our lives in which we can support those who are seeking new beginnings. I want to encourage those around us to succeed. I want to be a dream encourager not a dream killer.
7) YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY
Marriage is sacred. I don't know if there has been a year in all our married life that we've seen more marriages of Christian couples blow up. It's heartbreaking! My hub and I have discussed this and it saddens us. When we married we made a covenant commitment before God until death do us part.
My resolution: We will stay married. I know that sounds strange, but with so many marriages falling apart I think it should be announced we will commit to make this marriage work with a Christ-centered focus, and open communication. We will do this because it's a commandment, and also because we have a history, three beautiful children and there's nothing in this world worth blowing it up.
8) YOU SHALL NOT STEAL
I will not take what doesn't belong to me. I will work diligently.
My resolution: If I didn't work for it, and it wasn't a gift; it's not mine. I think this also applies to time. There are certain hours in the day that are designated to our kids schooling. I will not take their hours for my own.
9) YOU SHALL NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS AGAINST YOUR NEIGHBOR
Be truthful. Reserve judgement until all the facts are known. No gossiping.
My resolution: My words shall be used to build up others and not tear down or wound. Be a source of encouragement.
10) YOU SHALL NOT COVET YOUR NEIGHBOR'S POSSESSIONS
Do not be jealous about what someone else has or what they've earned.
My resolution: It is my desire to be content. This is hard when we live in the land of the O.C. or better known as the OH WOW!
Although I see many around us with more and better, my heart shall be content with what we have.
Although I see those around me lifting more weight and doing more pull-ups, I shall be content.
When I see a gal with beautifully manicured eyebrows or a wonderful Brazilian blowout, I will be content with my home blown hair and self-tweezed brows.
When I see cute, thin yoga-momma in her Lululemon's, I will be grateful for my curvy figure- I hear curves are making a comeback.
I will appreciate and compliment others on the blessings they receive and I will refrain for wishing for more. Contentment. It's a good thing!
And lastly...
Love this year as I've never loved before.
As commanded in Luke 10:27
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Happy New Year!
2 comments:
This is beautiful!
Love these and will borrow it from you to begin my New
Year. Thanks
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