Resolutions? Yes, I Make Them. Happily.

"We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."   --- Romans 6:4

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A new year! Wow. Fresh opportunities to view Life a new way. To start something again, perhaps finishing it this time. To grow.

And yes, ol' Debra is making resolutions, not caring how many Facebook friends sneer at that idea, either. 

I mean, really. Why get all snarky and pessimistic about folks setting goals? (If I were those people I'd resolve to become less jaded, sarcastic and bitter.) Er hem.

Anyway, last January I felt God nudging me to spend 2022 becoming: 

1.) more grateful 

2.) more excellent 

3.) slower to speak 

4.) and less complainy.

Godly conviction! New year's resolutions can reflect our godly convictions. Know the advantage of that? When God convicts us to do something, Grace is standing there to help us accomplish it.

We're not guaranteed that benefit if we procrastinate. (Yikes.)

Now, today I'm looking at those 4 conviction-turned-resolutions and honestly asking myself, "How did I do?" 

Hmm... I grew in gratitude. 100%? No, but I grew, I paid attention, and that's what matters.

And around our house both Tom and I grew in excellence. Kinda had to because after 10 years, Hobbit Cottage fell apart. Well, sort-of. Seems we spent the entire year paying to have things fixed, but you know? It's ok. 

Things around here are more efficient, safe, unclogged, better-decorated, less-cluttered and our heads feel lighter from fewer concerns.

Finally we tackled our basement! And immediately afterward Naomi needed to move in. We 3 each have 'our own floor' (in a way) and Hobbit Cottage suddenly feels hundreds of square feet larger.

No one's getting on anyone's nerves so obviously, God and Grace are involved.  シ

Now, the slower-to-speak thing. Yes, I witnessed miracles in that area. Still have room to grow there? Of course! Yet at least now I'm cognizant. Actively tweaking loud-mouth stuff.

But the complaining thing. Gah. I'm not sure about that one. I seem to recall ol' Debra complaining tons lots. Sigh.

Yet will I mope and feel all defeated about that? No. Why not? Because too often self-condemning folks collapse in dark ditches, sulking, while people who received forgiveness are walking past them on the street above. Traveling forward.

New Year Resolutions! I love them, take them seriously, even the fun ones:

Read more books!

Be a better friend!

Encourage more people!

Discover new projects!

Fix annoying things!

Keep decluttering!

Share more books and movies here!

I've more fun resolutions, but this is plenty long already.

I'll end this by saying may you make resolutions, fun ones, holy ones. And I hope you've discovered the joys of a well-lived life, one where becoming like Jesus is the greatest goal---

---an attainable target as long as we allow Him to direct and lead and change us.

And yes, we can set goals anytime of the year! But why not now at the beginning of 12 fresh months? Why not when it's on our minds? Why be all contrarion about it, instead?

"For nothing will be impossible with God..."   --- Luke 1:37

I'm expecting wonderful things in 2023--how about you?

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Remember when I bought these?

I found an additional use for them: as clips for my hanging clothes which would otherwise slide off the hangers. Other uses? To seal bags of bread or frozen vegetables or fruits.

Oh, and lately my nostalgia-loving heart has enjoyed this. Soothing, and certainly whisks me back a few decades! Department Store Music from 1979.

I love making new year resolutions!

Setting new goals. Aiming for specifics and hitting at least half rather than aiming for nothing and hitting it all.

The anticipation of God walking us through changes!

Feeling the stretch and a sweeter dependence upon Him.

Fresh ideas!

Staying open. Dreaming.

Having God partner with our heart while living-out new year resolutions means no failing

if, always, we get back up having learned and grown stronger

by the new year's end because

we did step out

we did try

we did obey

and we did come closer to fulfilling

His many reasons for imagining us,

for placing us here

to know Love, to be loved and to grow in love

toward others.

Did I complete any of my 2022 resolutions 100 percent? No. I did not. But I aimed at them and advanced far more than if I'd aimed at nothing. 

Never allow disappointment of yourself or others to color your entire world. Move forward in godly, anticipatory joy, instead!

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Please remember: My posts are always about more than they appear to be. 

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 "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." ... Matthew 6:14,15