Guess what I did today? I got the remaining Rubbermaid bins out of the basement to put away the last of the Christmas decorations. I know what you’re thinking, “Are you kidding me? It’s March already!” Ok so it took me a while this year. Truly I did put the majority back in the crawlspace right after New Year’s. Well, maybe it was more toward the end of January, but who’s keeping track? It’s so disappointing to put away all the shiny red ornaments, white lights and memory-filled items and replace them with…well, nothing. Not another holiday or season in sight! When there’s not a lot of snow it can be a dreary time of year. And truthfully, it’s just that I have some stuff that I can’t bear to only enjoy for a month out of the year. I admit it, I had a hard time putting away my two Kenyan Nativity sets, our clock that plays a Christmas carol every hour, the Christmas puzzle we put together and framed, and photos chronicling our family celebrations through the years. So I chose to leave a lot of it up for a while to keep the beauty and joy alive. It never occurs to me that I’ve left it up too long until a guest observes, and comments.
I really do love the changing of the seasons. Every one of them. Of course, winter is my favorite. Not only for Christmas and snow, but because it’s sweater weather. And casserole weather. Because we hunker down in our houses and sit closer together (maybe to keep warm). We play more board games and go to bed earlier because it’s dark sooner. We hibernate in a way. And that’s good. For a while….
But today’s a different day. They say you’ll know when it’s time. Today it was time. I suspect it had to do with the warm, sunny 50-degree day we were blessed with this week. We took off our coats, drove with the windows down and even stopped for soft ice cream after school. We were celebrating the hope and arrival of Spring. I especially love when the neighbors are out. It seems everywhere you looked they were there. Washing cars, walking dogs, riding bikes. Yup, we’re ready to break free and get outside.
I’m probably also ready because we are looking forward to going south for spring break from school. Just 35 days until we are putting our pale faces in the sun and walking on the beach and swimming in a pool. Wearing flip-flops, not boots! Making memories together and visiting distant family. Having something to look ahead toward such as this is what keeps me going when winter is dragging on.
It’s time to put off the winter doldrums and look ahead to Spring. Easter is such a vivid picture of this. And it’s so much earlier this year! When Jesus rose from the dead that dreary morning, with Him came all of our hope. There is new life! Old things have died – behold all things are new! It’s one more opportunity for us to be renewed. To have new breath breathed into our lungs. To look up, smile and go forward with a positive attitude. You know, like the kind of great attitude we have when the sun is shining, grass is getting green and flower buds start to appear.
So, what are you looking forward to in the coming months? I hope it’s something fun like a family vacation. Or some time off from work. Or reading a good book. Or a visit from a friend. Or sitting outside reading your Bible. Or taking long walks in a park. If you haven’t thought of anything yet why not start planning? Give yourself permission to dream. Pursue God with a renewed passion. Ask Him to SHINE His glory into your life. Don’t fall for the enemy’s scheme of mediocrity. Life doesn’t have to be boring. You were created for so much more. One of my favorite verses that motivates me to see things through God’s eyes is this one: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him.” (2 Cor. 2:9) Or how about this one? “Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” (2 Cor. 4:16—17)
Look up! Winter’s almost over. Embrace the future with expectation. You might just get a “spring” in your step as you anticipate what great things God has for you in this next season. So, the boxes are in the basement and the Christmas/winter remains are out of sight until the day after Thanksgiving … (By the way, I heard on the radio yesterday that there’s only 297 days until Christmas – but that’s not relevant here.) ….and I’m happy.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Growing up....Together
Something unexpected happened to me this month. Not totally, I knew it was coming, but still, it snuck up on me. I became the mother of a 16-year-old. I have to confess it didn’t come without a truckload of emotions. On a shallow level, “How did I get so old?” Yet on a much deeper level, “Where did the time go?” Not to mention, “Yikes, we only have 2 years left!”
I remember that snowy morning, married almost 2 years, living in a small apartment across the street from the hospital in Hornell, NY when I awoke to popping sound and subsequent warm, fuzzy feeling. As I hopped out of bed in lightning speed, Scott said I hadn’t moved that fast in months. Within 10 hours, I was surrounded by family and friends and delivered a blond-haired, blue-eyed baby boy. Talk about a shock to my dark-haired, dark-eyed Italian family!
He was not just any baby, though. He was the one we would later and still today refer to as “perfect baby”. He came in perfect textbook fashion and has pretty much followed “the rules” all his life. He’s brought more smiles and joy than we could have expected. Family members often recount how we would just sit around and watch him. Like he was a dog doing tricks. In awe, we watched him roll over, we watched him crawl, we watched him walk, we watched him play. We are still watching him – now it’s when he plays basketball. There’s no prouder mama in the stands! (Well, maybe, but I doubt it.) He’s been a dream come true – except for the occasional teasing of his siblings! And we thank God for that important privilege of being his parents.
The other night he was preparing to attend a 2-day retreat with his school classmates. I asked him if he needed help packing. “No, I can do it.” Man, he’s getting grown up. I was up early the next morning praying for him. I was asking God to do a great work in his life while he’s away with his youth pastor, teachers and friends. I prayed that He would not just love God and do the right things because he’s a good rule follower and doesn’t want to cause trouble or suffer consequences. Rather, that he’d get a cool new look at God and love Him more than anything else in his world not because it’s expected of him, but because he can’t help it and wants to.
I thanked God for what a great kid Drew is. I told Him how much I love Drew. It sounded something like, “Lord, I love that kid so much!” Which was followed by “I know you love Him millions more.” Obviously, this was not new news to me, but it was staggering nonetheless. I recognized that if I, a sinful, selfish mother loves this boy this much, how amazing that God who is perfect, having created this boy in His own image and has a great plan for His life, loves him even more. Wow – that should eliminate any worry or controlfreakishness (my word) on my part, shouldn’t it?
Before I could digest the wonder of a God who loves His own like that, He blew me away with another one. In my heart I heard: “Angela, I love you like that too. You know how much you like to brag about Drew and the young man he’s becoming? I see that in you. You know how special you feel when he spots you in a crowd and smiles affectionately or unexpectedly throws his arm around you? That’s how I feel about you when you turn your attention to me. Every time you prefer me to something lesser, it is worship. Every time you deny yourself and put others first, it is worship. Every time you obey me or thank me or remember me, my heart swells like yours every time Drew does. I am your Father and I have my eye on you just the same way you have your loving, protective eye on these kids.”
Whew. You could have blown me over with a feather. How I crave that kind of love. For the most part, it’s easy for me to show love to all three of my kids even though it comes from this sinful, selfish heart of mine. How much more amazing to be loved completely, perfectly by One who is pure!
Perhaps this experience is an answer to a recent prayer pattern I’ve been in. Asking God to remind me of basic truths I’ve known for a long time. To allow me to see Him in the faces of others. Begging Him to not let me read well worn, often preached passages with a same old same old attitude. Instead, I want him to really blow me away and open my eyes so I read them like it’s the first time. So I can see our ever-present God everywhere.
I dare you to do the same. If you’re in a rut or feeling spiritually flat or maybe like God is distant – don’t stay there. Ask for fresh new eyes and insight. Ask Him to reveal more of Himself to you so that you can love Him more and honor Him with every part of your life.
It may be emotional and even cause some pain, but it will be worth it. He’s got His eye on you, girl. And He loves you. No matter what. Last week I wrote you and encouraged you to spend some time in Ephesians. Well, I did it too. You know that’s where all this came from, don’t you? There’s a lot of love in that book. For me and for you. And for those we love. Stay in there until you are settled comfortably in it. If you find this great love for you hard to imagine or fathom, that’s excellent! God expected you to feel that way and wrote some verses just for you.
“I pray…that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man; so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or imagine, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.”
Eph. 3:14-21 Oh yeah!
Be on the lookout – He may surprise you where He shows up. Like in the face of a not-so-little-anymore little boy. Yeah, he’s growing up (a little too fast) right along with his mom who still has some growing to do herself.
I remember that snowy morning, married almost 2 years, living in a small apartment across the street from the hospital in Hornell, NY when I awoke to popping sound and subsequent warm, fuzzy feeling. As I hopped out of bed in lightning speed, Scott said I hadn’t moved that fast in months. Within 10 hours, I was surrounded by family and friends and delivered a blond-haired, blue-eyed baby boy. Talk about a shock to my dark-haired, dark-eyed Italian family!
He was not just any baby, though. He was the one we would later and still today refer to as “perfect baby”. He came in perfect textbook fashion and has pretty much followed “the rules” all his life. He’s brought more smiles and joy than we could have expected. Family members often recount how we would just sit around and watch him. Like he was a dog doing tricks. In awe, we watched him roll over, we watched him crawl, we watched him walk, we watched him play. We are still watching him – now it’s when he plays basketball. There’s no prouder mama in the stands! (Well, maybe, but I doubt it.) He’s been a dream come true – except for the occasional teasing of his siblings! And we thank God for that important privilege of being his parents.
The other night he was preparing to attend a 2-day retreat with his school classmates. I asked him if he needed help packing. “No, I can do it.” Man, he’s getting grown up. I was up early the next morning praying for him. I was asking God to do a great work in his life while he’s away with his youth pastor, teachers and friends. I prayed that He would not just love God and do the right things because he’s a good rule follower and doesn’t want to cause trouble or suffer consequences. Rather, that he’d get a cool new look at God and love Him more than anything else in his world not because it’s expected of him, but because he can’t help it and wants to.
I thanked God for what a great kid Drew is. I told Him how much I love Drew. It sounded something like, “Lord, I love that kid so much!” Which was followed by “I know you love Him millions more.” Obviously, this was not new news to me, but it was staggering nonetheless. I recognized that if I, a sinful, selfish mother loves this boy this much, how amazing that God who is perfect, having created this boy in His own image and has a great plan for His life, loves him even more. Wow – that should eliminate any worry or controlfreakishness (my word) on my part, shouldn’t it?
Before I could digest the wonder of a God who loves His own like that, He blew me away with another one. In my heart I heard: “Angela, I love you like that too. You know how much you like to brag about Drew and the young man he’s becoming? I see that in you. You know how special you feel when he spots you in a crowd and smiles affectionately or unexpectedly throws his arm around you? That’s how I feel about you when you turn your attention to me. Every time you prefer me to something lesser, it is worship. Every time you deny yourself and put others first, it is worship. Every time you obey me or thank me or remember me, my heart swells like yours every time Drew does. I am your Father and I have my eye on you just the same way you have your loving, protective eye on these kids.”
Whew. You could have blown me over with a feather. How I crave that kind of love. For the most part, it’s easy for me to show love to all three of my kids even though it comes from this sinful, selfish heart of mine. How much more amazing to be loved completely, perfectly by One who is pure!
Perhaps this experience is an answer to a recent prayer pattern I’ve been in. Asking God to remind me of basic truths I’ve known for a long time. To allow me to see Him in the faces of others. Begging Him to not let me read well worn, often preached passages with a same old same old attitude. Instead, I want him to really blow me away and open my eyes so I read them like it’s the first time. So I can see our ever-present God everywhere.
I dare you to do the same. If you’re in a rut or feeling spiritually flat or maybe like God is distant – don’t stay there. Ask for fresh new eyes and insight. Ask Him to reveal more of Himself to you so that you can love Him more and honor Him with every part of your life.
It may be emotional and even cause some pain, but it will be worth it. He’s got His eye on you, girl. And He loves you. No matter what. Last week I wrote you and encouraged you to spend some time in Ephesians. Well, I did it too. You know that’s where all this came from, don’t you? There’s a lot of love in that book. For me and for you. And for those we love. Stay in there until you are settled comfortably in it. If you find this great love for you hard to imagine or fathom, that’s excellent! God expected you to feel that way and wrote some verses just for you.
“I pray…that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man; so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or imagine, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.”
Eph. 3:14-21 Oh yeah!
Be on the lookout – He may surprise you where He shows up. Like in the face of a not-so-little-anymore little boy. Yeah, he’s growing up (a little too fast) right along with his mom who still has some growing to do herself.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Take a Load Off
Another winter break from school is almost over. The kids have been home for a week. We’ve done a lot of the fun things you’re supposed to do when the kids are on vacations. You know the ones -- eating fast food, renting movies, ice skating and endless sleepovers. It’s been a good week and I think we’ve all had fun.
Yet, I woke up this morning and found myself in a familiar state of mind. A negative one. This one usually appears around the middle of August (summer vacation soon to end) or at the end of any extended period of time when I’ve not been a slave to a schedule. What is it? Maybe you’re familiar with it too. It’s the “you’ve done nothing of any substance for all these days,” “you haven’t gotten anything done” or “I need to get back on a schedule” mentality.
It’s not easy being Type-A. Always feeling like I have to do something to be satisfied. Or purposeful. Or the biggie- useful. When will I learn for good that there is no value in that theology?
Thankfully, I’ve been doing a study with some women at church on spiritual warfare. I’m becoming much more aware of how the enemy messes with me and tries to get me off track. Surely this is an area where he’s had success before. Thinking that I’m more valuable to both God and others if I’m doing something worthwhile. If I’m serving. If I’m giving. If I’m going out of my way for someone else.
Don’t get me wrong – they are all good things and we should be doing them. But do we have to in order to get God’s approval? I will answer a confident and rousing “NO WAY” to that question, yet how many times do I live like that’s what I believe?
Interestingly enough, the thoughts (accusations) came this morning during my prayer time. Here I was telling God how great I think He is and thanking Him for all the blessings in front of me and then the darkness creeps in. The good news is that I recognized it right away and sent the enemy packing. But it makes me wonder if there are any of you out there who struggle with the same stuff. If the enemy comes to you and whispers you are lazy, not good enough, not striving enough, not BUSY enough to please God. In essence, this implies that God is hard to please. Another “NOT TRUE.”
I decided I needed a refresher in what God thinks of all this. What He thinks of me. What He requires of me. And what He doesn’t. So, I opened my Bible to Ephesians. (Always a good strategy when confusion sets in.) Check out these paraphrased truths:
- He chose us in Him
- We are holy and blameless in His sight
- We are adopted as His sons and daughters
- We have grace, freely given
- We are included in Christ
- He has great love for us
- We are marked with the Holy Spirit
- We are God’s possession
- We have a glorious inheritance
- He has made us alive in Christ
- Though far away we were brought near to Him
Do any of those have verbs attached to our names? Do we do anything to earn what we mean to Him? Of course not.
Let me point out one more important and powerful verse to you. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” Eph. 2:8-9
Oh my word. Right there in black and white (and some in red for me!). The truth according to God. So familiar in regard to salvation, but so distant in the throes of daily life. How do we miss it? Why do we go back to thinking there’s something we can and should do to earn God’s favor? I’ve got good news – we don’t have to!
Steven Curtis Chapman gets it – read the chorus from his song “Definition of Me”:
“It is your love that defines me, your love that reminds me
it’s not what I do. This life I live you have given and in you I am hidden.
This is what I know is true – that the definition of me is you.”
When and if you are confronted with negative, untrue accusations about what you should be doing…remind yourself of the truths you know. First in Scripture, then maybe through songs, books, friends, whatever and whomever points you to God’s truth about you and primarily about Him. We must guard our hearts from the counterfeit message the enemy casts our way and don’t buy it.
Remember, what’s more important to God is not what you do, but who you are becoming. Become more like Him today. Rest in the fact that you are important to Him simply because He says so! Remember, it’s your choice which voice you listen to. As for me, I’m going to take a load off and go enjoy this day without a to-do list!
Yet, I woke up this morning and found myself in a familiar state of mind. A negative one. This one usually appears around the middle of August (summer vacation soon to end) or at the end of any extended period of time when I’ve not been a slave to a schedule. What is it? Maybe you’re familiar with it too. It’s the “you’ve done nothing of any substance for all these days,” “you haven’t gotten anything done” or “I need to get back on a schedule” mentality.
It’s not easy being Type-A. Always feeling like I have to do something to be satisfied. Or purposeful. Or the biggie- useful. When will I learn for good that there is no value in that theology?
Thankfully, I’ve been doing a study with some women at church on spiritual warfare. I’m becoming much more aware of how the enemy messes with me and tries to get me off track. Surely this is an area where he’s had success before. Thinking that I’m more valuable to both God and others if I’m doing something worthwhile. If I’m serving. If I’m giving. If I’m going out of my way for someone else.
Don’t get me wrong – they are all good things and we should be doing them. But do we have to in order to get God’s approval? I will answer a confident and rousing “NO WAY” to that question, yet how many times do I live like that’s what I believe?
Interestingly enough, the thoughts (accusations) came this morning during my prayer time. Here I was telling God how great I think He is and thanking Him for all the blessings in front of me and then the darkness creeps in. The good news is that I recognized it right away and sent the enemy packing. But it makes me wonder if there are any of you out there who struggle with the same stuff. If the enemy comes to you and whispers you are lazy, not good enough, not striving enough, not BUSY enough to please God. In essence, this implies that God is hard to please. Another “NOT TRUE.”
I decided I needed a refresher in what God thinks of all this. What He thinks of me. What He requires of me. And what He doesn’t. So, I opened my Bible to Ephesians. (Always a good strategy when confusion sets in.) Check out these paraphrased truths:
- He chose us in Him
- We are holy and blameless in His sight
- We are adopted as His sons and daughters
- We have grace, freely given
- We are included in Christ
- He has great love for us
- We are marked with the Holy Spirit
- We are God’s possession
- We have a glorious inheritance
- He has made us alive in Christ
- Though far away we were brought near to Him
Do any of those have verbs attached to our names? Do we do anything to earn what we mean to Him? Of course not.
Let me point out one more important and powerful verse to you. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” Eph. 2:8-9
Oh my word. Right there in black and white (and some in red for me!). The truth according to God. So familiar in regard to salvation, but so distant in the throes of daily life. How do we miss it? Why do we go back to thinking there’s something we can and should do to earn God’s favor? I’ve got good news – we don’t have to!
Steven Curtis Chapman gets it – read the chorus from his song “Definition of Me”:
“It is your love that defines me, your love that reminds me
it’s not what I do. This life I live you have given and in you I am hidden.
This is what I know is true – that the definition of me is you.”
When and if you are confronted with negative, untrue accusations about what you should be doing…remind yourself of the truths you know. First in Scripture, then maybe through songs, books, friends, whatever and whomever points you to God’s truth about you and primarily about Him. We must guard our hearts from the counterfeit message the enemy casts our way and don’t buy it.
Remember, what’s more important to God is not what you do, but who you are becoming. Become more like Him today. Rest in the fact that you are important to Him simply because He says so! Remember, it’s your choice which voice you listen to. As for me, I’m going to take a load off and go enjoy this day without a to-do list!
Friday, February 22, 2008
Love for Valentine's Day
This year for Valentine's Day I asked my family to write me "love poems". Words can be so much more meaningful than a gift. Did I just say that? It's true I love a well-thought out gift, but sometimes I just want words. Not only did I get them, but I gave them. Enjoy them below.
From Drew
The Love Poem
Dear Mom,
I have known you ever since I was one,
and back then you were pretty young.
You always put a smile on my face
and in parenting, you are an ace.
I will never stop loving you,
because you have always loved and cared for me.
You were a gift from God to me,
that everyone can really see.
Happy Valentine's Day
From Ben
Roses are red, violets are blue,
I am so lucky to be living with you!
You encourage me when I am blue,
and give me a clue on what is good to do!
And I will always LOVE u!
From Ally
Why I Love You
You're always there when I need you,
like brushing teeth or hair.
You're always looking beautiful
no matter what you wear.
Your ideas that you have are so marvelous to me.
NOW, my poems to the kids
For Drew
Roses are red
Violets are blue
We love you, Drew, our blond boy
Even when you don’t have a clue!
You’re our firstborn, baby number one
You’ve always been so smart
Since the first day that we met you
You’d stolen away our hearts!
Basketball’s your game
You’ve got talent, there’s no doubt
God has given you many gifts
For Him to others – never running out.
For Ben
Roses are red
Violets are blue
Ben, you are our brown boy
Pure chocolate all the way through
You were a crabby baby
But you sure turned out just right
You’ve charmed us and unarmed us
You’re a joy and a delight!
God made you very special
Your life holds a special plan
Don’t doubt His word but trust it
For He is your biggest fan!
For Ally
Roses are read
Violets are blue
Ally, you are our princess
What would we do without you?
You’re our resident drama queen
You sure can give a show
Still, you make us laugh and are so fun
Our favorite girl to know!
God loves you very much
In our family you’re a big part
Keep following His path with all your might
And love Jesus with all your heart!
I'm still thinking about whether to post Scott's and mine to each other!! Stay tuned.
From Drew
The Love Poem
Dear Mom,
I have known you ever since I was one,
and back then you were pretty young.
You always put a smile on my face
and in parenting, you are an ace.
I will never stop loving you,
because you have always loved and cared for me.
You were a gift from God to me,
that everyone can really see.
Happy Valentine's Day
From Ben
Roses are red, violets are blue,
I am so lucky to be living with you!
You encourage me when I am blue,
and give me a clue on what is good to do!
And I will always LOVE u!
From Ally
Why I Love You
You're always there when I need you,
like brushing teeth or hair.
You're always looking beautiful
no matter what you wear.
Your ideas that you have are so marvelous to me.
NOW, my poems to the kids
For Drew
Roses are red
Violets are blue
We love you, Drew, our blond boy
Even when you don’t have a clue!
You’re our firstborn, baby number one
You’ve always been so smart
Since the first day that we met you
You’d stolen away our hearts!
Basketball’s your game
You’ve got talent, there’s no doubt
God has given you many gifts
For Him to others – never running out.
For Ben
Roses are red
Violets are blue
Ben, you are our brown boy
Pure chocolate all the way through
You were a crabby baby
But you sure turned out just right
You’ve charmed us and unarmed us
You’re a joy and a delight!
God made you very special
Your life holds a special plan
Don’t doubt His word but trust it
For He is your biggest fan!
For Ally
Roses are read
Violets are blue
Ally, you are our princess
What would we do without you?
You’re our resident drama queen
You sure can give a show
Still, you make us laugh and are so fun
Our favorite girl to know!
God loves you very much
In our family you’re a big part
Keep following His path with all your might
And love Jesus with all your heart!
I'm still thinking about whether to post Scott's and mine to each other!! Stay tuned.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Resolve 2008
Happy New Year! Here it is, January 1, 2008. Today is a day to think about change; a goal setter’s favorite day. This morning I’ve taken some time to look back on what kind of year 2007 was. What I enjoyed and what I endured. What I hope to experience again in 2008 and what I never see again! I don’t know what the year 2008 holds for me or for my family but I know who holds our future. God has a plan for our lives and He will execute it. That’s reassuring. Of course, that doesn’t mean it will be without pain, inconvenience or turn out to be the opposite of “my plan”. Still, it’s fun to daydream.
Also, through the years, I’ve found it is very good to set goals. Not to reach perfection or be in control, but to have something worthy to shoot for. I got up this morning wanting to start the day and year with a clean slate. I confessed every known sin or weakness I could think of and then some questions came to mind. I wondered if you might like to ponder them along with me in relation to your life.
v What could God do with me this year?
v What area of Christlikeness needs to be focused on which will require change?
v What sin do I continually stumble over?
v How can I get my eyes off myself and be more aware of others?
v In what area of my life is Satan discouraging me and winning?
v How can God have more of me this year?
v What do I need to give up in order to draw closer to Christ?
v What discipline(s) could I implement in order to be more like Him and less like me?
v What areas of hurt, bitterness or resentment do I need to forgive and let go of if I want to move forward in God’s plan for my life?
v What gifts do I need to receive from God that I previously have not felt I deserve?
v How can I live so that my life brings a smile to God’s face?
Probably as you’re reading the list other questions more personal to you come to mind. I encourage you to write them down and pray through them. If we want to have success in any of the above-mentioned areas – we’re going to need resolve.
The official definition of the word resolve is to determine or decide; to settle with determination. This is so intentional. It’s where we come in. In her study of Daniel, Beth Moore writes, “Do you want to live a life of integrity? We will do it on purpose, or we will not do it at all. Godliness is never accidental. Neither is victory coincidental. Both stem from up-front, daily resolve.”
I studied the book of Daniel several times in 2007 and was so encouraged by the living examples of this Biblical concept of resolve. Daniel and his three friends (Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego) were four very young Israelites hauled off to a wicked city, Babylon. Right off the bat, they resolved not to sin; not to become absorbed into their new cultural surroundings. And although it was hard and certainly not popular they succeeded. That gives me hope that I can do the same if I become intentional about how I live.
Sometimes, we can shrug off the notion of a New Year’s Resolution, because we know ourselves and our tendency to fail – so why try? I want to encourage you this year, the year 2008, to adjust your thinking as to what a New Year’s Resolution is vs. what is just plain old resolve.
Remember, resolve is to settle with determination. Settle whatever it is today that keeps you from becoming all God dreams you to be. Determine that you will receive from His hand every good and perfect gift He wants to give you, whether you think you deserve it or not. Resolve that you won’t let anything or anyone keep you from the glorious plan He has for your life.
I didn’t say it would be easy. If it was, it wouldn’t demand resolve (an action word!). But is there any more important quest that deserves your attention and hard work? There isn’t for me. Don’t just let life happen to you. Put some new verbs into your vocabulary – intentional – purposeful – consistent. Next January 1st as you look back it will pay off in numerous dividends like… Maturity. Victory. Freedom. Peace. Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about!! I’m feeling motivated. How about you? Oh, and one more thing – if you stumble and fall – don’t give up – we don’t have to wait until January 1st for a new beginning. You can have a new one each and every day if you need it.
Lamentations 3:22-23 says, “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
Happy New Year to all of you.
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