We spent the evening at home with the kids and some fun food (the pan seared prosciutto wrapped mozzarella was a hit with us, and chips and apples and dip were enough to wow the kids). At midnight we were technically awake, but only because of sick children.
Christmas night I sat down with my journal and thought it would be fun to review my goals from last year. It was no surprise to see "What Matters Most" on one page, followed by a list of things that easily creep into my days but don't really hold much value in light of eternity. Those items on the first list are still as true today as they were last year, and yet it seems like this refocusing on the main things is a "common to man" problem.
I've been giving these ideas a lot of thought since my health took a nosedive. At first I was just surviving; then I was living in a state of waiting for the season to pass so I could get back to "normal." (Here we are again.) As an extreme optimist, I usually set high goals for myself. For the first time I am facing my new year with very realistic goals, although keep in mind that realistic doesn't mean easy. I don't have any extra energy or mental capabilities to spend on the less important tasks. I am determined to be faithful in a few areas vs. bemoaning my inabilities to come up with a spectacular (or even mundane) plan to conquer new things.
The truth is, most of us are in a season that seems less than ideal- even the women who have multiple semi-famous blogs and provide loads of inspiration (they just have a surplus of energy). I am thankful for all those great ideas...some of the links on my sidebar this week are amazing. So there's no begrudging another person's list, or even comparing, because God is writing each of our stories and they are different. Last January my sister came up with a great list of goals for her year, something I hope to imitate in the future. In fact, I wonder if I am distracted by the tyranny of the urgent and that keeps me from getting the basics down, which is keeping me from moving forward and accomplishing greater tasks. But that is a question for later...
So, while others are laying out their list of resolutions and goals, I'd like to spend the month of January sharing about this effort to refocus, and passing along a myriad of helpful links that continue to push me in the right direction. Care to join me?
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5 comments:
I care to join you whole-heartedly! May the Lord find us at the end of 2011, perhaps still in our afflictions and difficulties but having been faithful, by His grace, in a few things. My prayer for this new year is this: that He might say of us, His people, "Well done, good and faithful servant." Blessings on you and your family, Brite. Happy New Year!
My goal for this week is to write my goals down. Matt had goals from last year, and has already rolled them over for this year and modified/updated, not to mention updated me on progress. He thinks I will have better success if I put them on (electronic) paper. I think it makes me feel like I need another piece of fudge (after all, if they're that important, I won't forget them), but I will probably go ahead and write them out. Thanks for the gentle prod. :)
Brite,
I'd love to join you. You've beautifully expressed my heart's desires as well. On a side note, I can relate to your health issues in so many ways. Praying for you and your journey towards full and lasting healing.
Brite-Sweet words, I am so sorry that you have been so sick for such an extended period of time.
I have been talking about being faithful in small things especially as our oldest is turning into a young man and is eager to have all those privileges and responisibilities. So this is a theme around our house.
In the Lord's kindness he has already this year given us ways to practice this!
I'll be praying to the great Physician for healing for you and your family!
What a great way to put it! I feel as though this couldn't have come at a better time...our New Year started with illness, followed by the discipline issues of the "after sickies" so, I will and have joined in on being faithful in the few things that get done right now...keep it up! You're in our prayers.
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