There are a lot of joggers running by my house today. More than usual \u2014 I\u2019m guessing there will be more tomorrow.\u00a0The number one resolution for 2013 is, \u201cLose weight\u201d. Historically, the most commonly broken New Years Resolution is \u2014 \u00a0you guessed it, \u201cLose weight.\u201d<\/p>\n
It seems to have become a bit of a trend to hate on New Years Resolutions. Perhaps it is because they are such a joke.\u00a0But we are Christians, you and I. We should be well acquainted with resolutions, which are really just covenants we make with ourselves \u2014 which is arguably part of the problem \u2014 making a promise with our own self, to our own self. \u00a0The truth is, we can\u2019t attain any goal without Christ carrying us over the finish line, and I\u2019m willing to bet part of the reason we break our resolutions so often is because:<\/p>\n
1. We aren\u2019t asking God to help, and<\/p>\n
2. We are pursuing goals that aren\u2019t the goals God wants us to.<\/p>\n
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\u00a0<\/sup><\/p>\n Last year my resolution was, \u201cTo be a better wife and mom.\u201d \u00a0 My ideas about what that goal would entail were pretty vague, but it sounded noble and certainly looked good on paper, so that part was nice. \u00a0Honestly, 2013 ended up being a very challenging year for me. \u00a0Countless tears, \u00a0much heartache, \u00a0and many sleepless nights \u2014 seriously, just ask my husband because he held me through it all. But I don\u2019t have any regrets. All those tough times were outnumbered many times over by good times. Maybe it is more accurate to say that 2013 was a full year for me \u2014 \u00a0I got way more than I bargained for in the last 12 months. There was lots of joy, and lots of laughter. I learned a lot of new things and was surprised often. \u00a0For\u00a0the first time in my life, we (God and I) kept my New Years Resolution. \u00a0I can honestly say I am a better wife and a better mom then I was this time last year \u2014 I know this because I asked those closest to me. They said that they have watched me become more joyful, more fun, and more gracious than I was before \u2014 praise be to God. \u00a0Ben and I spent a lot of time really working at our marriage this year and I honestly feel much closer to my husband, which is particularly encouraging to a girl who came from a broken home. 12 years, 4 kids, 7 moves and several careers later and my guy and I love each other more than ever before. This is incredible to me. How is that possible? This year, I also feel like I\u2019ve begun to glimpse the way God sees me \u2014 which is completely blowing my mind! Of course, all this success has absolutely nothing<\/strong> to do with me. I would have given up last January, but God knew better and without consulting me, He took my goal seriously. I am so thankful that He did.<\/p>\n This year, I\u2019m making another resolution, but it kinda includes last years too (always room to learn and grow). This year, I am asking God to keep turning my life up-side-down. I am asking Him to keep me hungry for Christ. I am asking that He continue to transform me into the person He designed me to be: a reflection of Him.<\/p>\n