New Year, New Me?

Happy 2013!

For a long time I didn’t make New Year’s resolutions. I honestly thought they were silly. If I needed to make a change in my life, why wouldn’t I do it at any point in the year? And, who really keeps them anyways?

Then, last year, God revealed to me that He is the God of new beginnings and He has ordered our calendars and the events in our lives for a reason. He also convicted me that I am not perfect yet and there are new things every year that I can change in my heart that could help me draw closer to Him and make me more useful for the Kingdom.

He also led me to Philippians 3:13-14.

“Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14 ESV)

The goal of the Christian walk is to continually forget what is behind us and strain forward for what lies ahead. We are called to press on, to change and to become more like Christ. Every New Year, we have the opportunity to reflect on the past and prepare for what lies ahead.

As I contemplate 2013, I’ve put my resolutions in categories based on the arenas of life where God has placed me. For instance, how can I become a better Christ-follower, wife, mom, sister, daughter, friend and kingdom worker?

So, in the spirit of honesty and openness (and with the hope that someone will hold me accountable), here goes:

My 2013 Resolutions:

1. Plan to wake-up before Myla everyday to spend focused time in the Word and in prayer. Stop doing this haphazardly based on how my day is going, whether she naps, etc.

2. Read a little less fiction and a little more non-fiction based in scripture.

3. Help to manage our household finances better by learning a program like Quickbooks and stop doing our finances by hand.

4. Stay healthy for my family by getting back into 5K shape by the fall.

5. Learn how to crochet. (This one’s just for fun.)

6. Be more intentional in my relationships with family members, neighbors, etc. Step outside my comfort zone a little more.

7. Pray and ask God to show me over the next year ways I can serve in His kingdom once the newborn stage is over with Baby #2.

May everything we do in 2013 be for His Glory!