It happens every January. The stores quickly clear out the leftover merchandise of Christmas to replace it with all the latest books, gizmos and gadgets associated with exercise and weight loss. No sooner are the last bowl games wrapping up then fans begin discussing NFL playoffs. Children and college students return to school in a combination of “Oh, no!” and “Oh, yes!” responses. And people make New Year’s resolutions.
Every January I would attempt to join the bandwagon. This year, I am going to lose weight. This year, I am going to begin exercising every day. This year, I will not be late for anything, ever. With great zeal and fervor, I would launch into the New Year, excited about tackling my new-found goals.
By the end of January, the picture would often be quite different. If my goal was weight loss, by the end of January, the celery sticks might have been replaced by some warm brownies and a promise to start over again soon. If my goal had been to exercise every day, my schedule would have often adjusted and exercise on a weekly, not daily, basis might have become my new target, if my goal was remembered at all. If my goal had been being on time, I would rationalize that obviously the increased chaos at home lately made it impossible for me to arrive on time every time. Whatever the resolution, whatever the excuse, by the end of January, my resolve would have pretty much dissolved in a puddle of discouragement over my failures or rationalize over my excuses. Until last year.
Last year was the first year that God did something very different in my heart. Instead of jumping on the band wagon of resolutions, I allowed God to give me some words to carry in my heart. They were not revolutionary or rocket science concepts, but they spoke deeply to me and gave me an anchor for what God might want to do in my life during 2009. Little did I know, He was going before me in ways I could not have begun to imagine in January 1st.
2009 was to be the year of our firstborn son’s wedding. 2009 was to be the year of our second son’s college graduation. 2009 was to be the year of my husband’s retirement from the Naval Reserve after 28 years of service. All these events sparked excitement and anticipation of many celebrations for our family. And celebrate we did. Our firstborn married his sweetheart and we added a beautiful, godly young woman to our family. Our second born walked across the stage and received his college diploma. But instead of celebrating Rob’s retirement, we packed his bags and sent him to Iraq.
So what now? Where were my words as my world unexpectedly turned upside down? I can tell you this. As Rob shared news of his orders with me late one night (I think we experienced the concept of “shock and awe” in a whole new dimension!), there was not a New Year’s resolution I could have made in January that would have given me support in that hour. But the words God had given me flew to my heart and mind. Those words let me know, even in my pain, that we were going to be okay, because the words He had given me were His words.
How about you? Are you finding yourself at the end of January with already burned out resolutions? What words might God be waiting to give you? How does He want to walk you down the path that He has seen and already prepared for you this year? Take a moment and ask Him for the words He has for you in 2010. His words will outlast and strengthen you long after all resolutions have dissolved.
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