New Year's Thoughts

So, it's that time of year again. The holidays are pretty much over, most folks are back to work, school will be starting next week again... life is starting to get back to normal.

And yet, January 1st often marks a grand entrance in our minds. It's like a big official day to kick bad habits, practice and learn NEW habits, get thin, workout, save money... the list goes on. So often, people makes lists of New Year's Resolutions...

While goals are good - they can also give ME a sense of failure. I am a list maker. While lists can be motivating, they can also be debilitating, depending on the pressure or the amount of grandure that's put into them. How realistic are we when we set out with our goals? We get this burst of "drive" and "enthusiasm"... somehow sparked by this new year and by February, the list is burried and half the "goals" forgotten.

Or the ones that seemed lofty to attain seem TOO far away and I give up.

Last year, on my family's blog I said that for 2008 my goal was to simply be a blessing. That was my heart's desire... I pray that I honored the Lord last year in blessing others. It was a far easier "resolution" to fulfill as it wasn't "About me". Reaching out and blessing others seems natural and fits with my heartbeat.

This year, I have some goals, yes. But above all, my desire in 2009 is that above all us, I will praise the Lord, in all things. That I will live and bask and find peace in LIVING in Jesus. Psalm 63:3 (the Message) sums it up beautifully for me. This will be the verse I will hold on to this year. I'd like to memorize it so I can take it wherever I go. What a perfect promise between my Lord and I.

Psalm 63:3
So here I am in the place of worship, eyes open, drinking in your strength and glory. In your generous love, I am really living at last! My lips brim praises like fountains. I bless you every time I take a breath; My arms wave like banners of praise to you.

Oh Jesus, in YOUR presence is where I long to be, and what a promise you've given to me, that you'll never leave me, never turn your face from mine, and never shut your ears from hearing my voice cry out to you. What a comfort to have you as my closest friend. Your love IS generous, so far beyond what i can comprehend, so much greater than my ability to fathom... May my lips speak words that edify and lift others up. May my thoughts be pure and without sin... and when they are, may I be quick to repent... quick to shift my thoughts to you and be filled with your goodness. May my hands and feet be thoughtful and determined. May they walk a path that honors you, choosing deliberately to follow the direction you lead me into. I ask for strength and endurance to stay committed to your calling. May I be driven by your calling and not by my desires. I want to praise you in all things.... good and bad... hardship and trials...in abundance and blessings .. in my marriage, in my children, in my friendships, and in my ministry. You are an amazing God, and I love you... more today than yesterday.