The day AFTER New Year's Day...

Welcome to Baby New Year!

I love New Year's. It is my favorite of all the holidays because it signals a chance to get a "Do-over" with so many things. New Year's Day is wrought with possibilities! This could be the year when I finally get it together. I could finally get it right.

Then comes the day AFTER New Year's Day and life returns to normal. What then? 

Today I awoke with a nagging pain in my knee from the 7+ miles I ran yesterday - part of my "resolve" to get back to running seriously. I ate a pop-tart for breakfast after sleeping late for the last time during this break from school. So much for  healthy eating and making every minute count! The kids came home from an exciting trip last night and the house looks a bit like a tornado ripped through it. Goodbye organization dreams. The cupboard is bare which means I have to go get some serious groceries - but I have no real idea what to cook that the "boy" will eat so toodle-lou to plans to keep the budget and eat healthy....plus I am seriously a lousy cook.

It's the day AFTER New Year's and all the glittery dreams seem to have lost their shine and been replaced with reality. I'm not a big fan of reality right now.

Reality says if I want to eat healthy I'm going to have to plan and purchase healthy food and PREPARE it myself. Reality says if I want to run I have to realize I'm not as young as I once was and I'll have to keep at it - slow and steady. Reality says that having children, while a joy, is messy and expensive. Reality is just so....REAL!

New Year's Day is filled with hopes and dreams and the day AFTER is the day when you realize that hopes and dreams take hard work!

It's not just the New Year's Day hopes that make a difference, it's the days AFTER that do. 

Come to think of it, New Year's is a lot like raising children. New Year's Day is always pictured as a baby. It is like the welcoming of a new child into the family. At first it's all joy, but the question is what will we do when the reality of child rearing shows itself? What will we do with that sparkly new "baby" new year once it starts soiling its diapers and screaming all hours into the night. When that "baby" starts talking back and telling us "NO!", what then? I'm guessing like any good parent, we hold our ground and remember the hope and precious moments that came with this baby. When our new year gets expensive with unexpected bills, will we take a deep breath and trust that God knew about this far before we did and has a plan? When our new year starts acting like a sullen teenager, will we do what is right - even if it's tough. When it comes with sleepless nights of worry because of "decisions" this new year has seem to have made, will we trust our Heavenly Father with that which we cannot control? When the reality of raising this child comes fully into view, how will we do?

We have been given the job of raising another year. There will be good times, bad times, and everything in between. Let's remember to enjoy every second of it because too soon it will be gone and our chance to "raise this child" will be done.

Happy day AFTER New Year's Day. Let's make it a great one.


Replace the word "child" with New Year and I'll think you'll see how these apply. The Proverbs 29 one is my favorite when applied to the New Year!
 
“I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him.  So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.” And he worshiped the Lord there. (1 Samuel 1:27–28)

 Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.  (Proverbs 22:6)

 Discipline your children, and they will give you peace; they will bring you the delights you desire. (Proverbs 29:17)

 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.  (Luke 2:40)

One more word...or two.

I've been seeing a lot of posts on facebook from people who have embraced the idea of one word to focus on for the year. This will be my second year to do this, (not an original idea...I heard about it on the radio - you can also find a link at the end of this blog), and I've even written about it in previous blogs. The other day, however, I heard a suggestion that I liked - finding one word to focus on for my children as well.

Since I have two precious children, I immediately started asking God what word could I focus on for them. Well, to be honest,I was actually a bit hesitant. After my experience with the word "Hope" last year, I knew that the words would mean MUCH more than I originally realized. Still, I asked.

For my daughter, the word that came to mind is "Grace". Now, that is her middle name, but I'm pretty sure that isn't why it is her word. The dictionary defines grace, among other things, as:
1. elegance or beauty of form, manner, motion, or action.
2. a pleasing or attractive quality or endowment.
3. favor or good will.
4. a manifestation of favor, esp. by a superior: It was only through the dean's grace that I wasn't expelled from school.
5. mercy; clemency; pardon: an act of grace.
9. moral strength: the grace to perform a duty.
Now to be honest, I like some of those better than others! I like the theological meaning of the word best: a. the freely given, unmerited favor and love of God. b. the influence or spirit of God operating in humans to regenerate or strengthen them. c. a virtue or excellence of divine origin: the Christian graces. d. Also called state of grace. the condition of being in God's favor or one of the elect.

There are a number of scriptures that go along with the word 'grace'. Here are just a few: 2 Peter 1:2; Psalm 84:11; James 4:6; John 1:17; 1 Corinthians 1:3; 2 Timothy 2:1; 2 Peter 3:18...the list really does go on and on.

For my son, the word for this year is 'Strength.' I'm sure he would like that since he's really into lifting weights and seeing his muscles "grow". (And as I listen to him singing in the other room and think about the fact that he NEVER seems to stop talking, perhaps the word strength is meant to help ME! LOL)
According to the dictionary, strength means, among other things:
1. the quality or state of being strong; bodily or muscular power; vigor.
2. mental power, force, or vigor.
3. moral power, firmness, or courage.
4. power by reason of influence, authority, resources, numbers, etc.
6. effective force, potency, or cogency, as of inducements or arguments: the strength of his plea.
7. power of resisting force, strain, wear, etc.
8. vigor of action, language, feeling, etc.
11. something or someone that gives one strength or is a source of power or encouragement; sustenance: The Bible was her strength and joy.

I knew the first definition, but to be honest had not thought of some of the others that really do apply to my hopes for my son. I want him to not only be strong physically, but mentally, morally, spiritually as well! A few of the strength scriptures include: Nehemiah 8:10 (the joy of the Lord is your strength.); Psalm 27:1; Psalm 31:24; Isaiah 41:10; Ephesians 3:14 - 19; Ephesians 6:10; Phillippians 4:13....again, I have a number of verses I can pray for him this year.

Now that I have "words" for my children, it's time to see what one word God would have me focus on when praying for my husband! I think I have an idea, but that's for another blog.

I'm really looking forward to seeing what God will do this year with our "words".... I'm hoping a lot of people will spend some time this month seeking for the one word God would have them hold on to this year. Through it all, we can pray: "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." Psalm 19:14

It's 2011...what will your word be?

For an excellent article on how to choose your one word, check out this link to FCA: http://fcaresources.com/devotional/2010/12/28/just-one-word-part-1

For right now and his cousin, Just this once

I have just spent the better part of the past two evenings tossing clutter. Most of it was junk, some of it was stuff out of place, and all of it was overwhelming! I'd look back at coupons that expired, notices for bills long since paid, books that belonged in other rooms, sales papers, magazines, toys, the list just goes on and on.

Somewhere in the midst of all that chaos, it occurred to me. I had put these things in that particular spot, "for right now." Now I was staring at a room filled with "for right now" on top of  "for right now."I truly had never intended to leave it there permanantly, but a series of "for right nows" had piled up on me and now lay covered in a film of dust so thick you could probably not only write your name but copy the entire Declaration of Independence on top of it before signing your John Hancock!

As this random thought turned in my head (and I tossed with reckless abandon), I realized that "For Right Now" had a cousin named "Just This Once." I can thank that cousin for countless pounds that have piled up on my hips as I caved into going through the drive in "just this once" or having that piece of cake "just this once" or skipping exercise "just this once." That "Just This Once" is one tricky dude! He had me "just this once-ing" right into a bigger pants size!
Let's face it, I am a creature of habit. To say that I won't fall prey to "For right now" and "Just this once" is an exercise in futility. But maybe, just maybe I can take this little habit and turn it for my good! What would my life be like if "for right now" I completely dealt with the mail as it came in? What would happen if "for right now" I turned off the tv and cleared the table of the day's clutter? Could I possible even get my family caught up in putting their stuff away "for right now?" Okay, maybe that is a bit far-fetched.

And what of his cousin? What would happen if "Just this once" I ate what I knew was best for me, even if it meant cooking when I was tired? What if "Just this once" I chose fruit over cake for dessert? What if "just this once" I spent 30 minutes on the treadmill or going for a walk instead of plopping in front of the computer screen? What if, "just this once", I did things a little differently?

I'm thinking this might make a difference in a lot of areas in the world around me.  What if, "just this once", I picked up the trash I saw in my path as I went for a walk? What if, "for right now", I take my eyes off my own circumstances and reach out to someone else? What if "for right now" I was patient with the old person who was telling me that same story for the tenth time? What if "just this once" instead of losing my temper, I showed mercy for the person who cut me off in traffic? The possibilities are endless! I don't have to resolve to be a better person or clean up my health or get back in shape or try to change the world! All I have to do is "for right now" make a good choice, and "just this once" do what I know is best instead of what is easy.

I'd like to hear your ideas of what we could do "for right now" or "just this once" that might make a difference in the new year. Or if you give this a try, let me know how it goes...just this once.

Looking forward to hearing from you...and for right now, I think I'm done.

The difference in a goal and a resolution

By now, many have relegated their New Year's Resolutions to the trash along with their Christmas wrapping paper and boxes. Some haven't completely trashed them, they just given it a try and when it didn't work figured they'd try again next year, so they packed their resolutions away with the ornaments and decorations. A few hardy individuals are hanging on for all they are worth, barely holding on but determined that this will be the year of success. Then there are those of us who have decided that resolutions are an exercise in futility and given up on making them all together.

This year, I did not make any resolutions...instead, I made a goal, and so far I'm seeing a big difference. That could be because of the difference in me, or it is more likely due to the difference in resolutions and goals.
I've read plenty of articles on making good resolutions, but somehow I still always fail to keep my resolutions. Envisioning success, writing them down, making them measurable...nothing seemed to help. Perhaps this is because resolutions tend to carry with them a "DO or DON'T" mindset. If I vow to do something and then don't, I've blown it. If I vow to NOT do something and then do it, I've blown it again. There are just too many opportunities to fail. Goals on the other hand are different.

With a goal, if I don't reach it, I don't stop. I just keep trying. I talked to my students about this. Many of them play soccer or basketball and I asked them, if they were playing and missed the goal, would they just give up? Of course, the answer is no...you try again....and again.....and again....and, well, you get the picture. Goals carry in them the idea that if you don't reach your goal the first time, you keep on trying. Resolutions carry the idea of either you do or don't; one slip up and it's over.

With a resolution, if you don't accomplish it, you've failed. With a goal, I can see myself getting closer and closer to the target, even when I fail. It's a process, a learning and retraining process. It's so much easier to see that I am making progress with a goal. I may still miss the mark by a mile, but at least I'm closer than I was when I started...even if it's only by the tiniest fraction of an inch! The fact that I am even looking at the goal is progress, because it means I have a target to work toward. You've heard it said, those who aim at nothing hit it every time. I'm tired of hitting nothing.

This year, I have a couple of goals. I've put a calendar up to help me see how I'm doing toward reaching those goals. I've also made myself accountable in other ways....but the point is, even on days I do very little, I'm still doing SOMETHING toward getting closer to the mark.

Even if you haven't made a goal for this year, the year is young and there is plenty of year left! Make a goal. Think about it...the decisions you make today can make a difference in the year, the decade...even in your life! If somehow you wind up reading this article with very little year left - I still encourage you to make a goal. Make use of the time you have and get closer to the goal than you were before you started. There is no time like the present.

The difference in a resolution and a goal - it's never too late to work on getting closer to our goals. Join with me and we'll  make a difference in our tomorrows. I like the way Paul, the author of Philippians put it:
Philippians 3: 12-16 (Message translation)
"I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back.

So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you'll see it yet! Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it."