Resolutions for the New Year...

It's a new year and I have spent at least part of the past couple of days thinking about whether I should try and make a New Year's Resolution. Of course I want to exercise and lose weight....that has been a struggle for the past year. I'd love to be more organized....that has been a struggle for the past 50 years. Do better with the budget - who doesn't have that as a resolution? But in all my ideas, there have been a couple that have really resonated within me.

This is a year to get my house in order. Now, I don't mean the organizing thing, but I do hope that will somehow fall into place before I lose the children in the clutter. No, I mean something more, and the ten commandments keep coming to mind. For me, this is a year to focus on setting things in order so that I can truly STAND no matter what comes my way. I guess that means no matter what comes physically, financially, emotionally - whatever. This isn't some kind of gloom and doom feeling mind you. It's just that it's time to do some training and get ready to stand.

So, for the next year I'd like to try and focus on one commandment a month, with the last two months focusing on what Jesus said were the two greatest commandments. Just what will that mean? I have no idea, but you're welcome to join me in my discovery.

I looked up the commandments today - they are found in Exodus 20 for those who don't want to have to look it up in the concordance like I did. (I admit it! I had no idea of the exact "address" of the commandments! That's what Google is for!) The first commandment is "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." Seems simple enough. I'm guessing that this month I will find out more about this, perhaps discover some "gods" I have that I didn't realize existed! No other gods before Him....hmmmm. I have to ask myself, what things do I put before God? How many times have I said, "I'll do that after....?"  I'll read my Bible after I ....., I'll dedicate more time to missions after......, I'll do what I feel God leading me to after......., Sometimes the word after is replaced by the word someday, but they mean the same thing.

My second goal is much easier. I've set a goal to go out for a run each day, even if it's only for a mile. After that mile, I have permission to stop if I want to, but I've got to at least go that first mile. As anyone knows, the first few steps are the hardest....sort of like it's hard to clear away the clutter of life and put God before everything else...but once you've done it, you're so glad you did.

Yep, I have a feeling it's going to be a pretty interesting year. Of course, I'll share what I discover with you, after I've figured it out.

Happy New Year everyone.