Friday, January 8, 2010

You say you want a resolution

Bloggers are linking their New Year's Resolutions for 2010 over on Kelly's Korner today. I thought I'd add mine...

I wrote a little bit here about setting some goals for the new year. Like most people I have a few things on my list relating to healthy habits and organization, projects to complete...typical New Years stuff. I see those projects as a sort of to-do list...things to accomplish in 2010. They will certainly make me a healthier and better organized person so I'll absolutely be working to accomplish those goals but I feel like the word resolution goes a little bit deeper.

I've made just two 'resolutions' to really focus on in this new year-

1. Let the law of kindness reign in my home. The word kindness has been dancing around my brain in recent weeks and when I read the prayer posted here I knew I wanted to adopt 'the law of kindness' as my #1 resolution for 2010. I love the quote by Mother Teresa that says, "Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile." And the 'no one' should include my own family.

2. I've joined in a 31 Day Challenge here, the goal of which is to read the Book of Proverbs during the month of January. 31 Chapters in 31 days so it works out nicely. I've read Proverbs at various times in my life but it seems particularly fitting at the beginning of this new year. I need to know what it is I should be doing with my life. Wow. That sounds huge. And I feel like it is. Because I am at a crossroads of sorts. After an eventful year centered around an International move I'm feeling pretty much at home in our new house and town. I am now longing for purpose and am praying God opens a door for me and makes that purpose clear. I want wisdom in the year 2010.

In the second chapter of Proverbs Solomon says, "...if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments...making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding, yes if you call out for insight...and search for it like hidden treasures ..then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God."

Kindness and wisdom in 2010...it would even make a pretty good bumper sticker don't ya think?

10 comments:

  1. I'm following the Proverbs 31 Day Challenge as well. And I think we all our continually wondering what we should be doing with our lives! I know I've been praying for the wisdom in that area as well. Praying to do God's will daily. Love the verse in Proverbs as a great focus towards wisdom.

    Happy New Year to you as well! And to kindness and wisdom in 2010! Let me know when the bunder sitcker is available. :)

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  2. 1. Great title.
    2. I like one word resolutions because they're easy to remember and breathe and pray when you're in the thick of it.

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  3. I love the ones you've listed. I woke up to something very similar in my email this morning about what kinds of seeds are we planting within our homes, ones that glorify God and encourage our family or ones that don't and tear them down.

    It was quite the eye opener.

    Love and Hugs ~ Kat

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  4. Two great resolutions. I can't imagine you being anything but kind. I too am following the Proverbs Challenge. My Bible study does not start until the end of the month, so this study was perfect. Thanks for sharing it with us all. I am trying to slow my life down and get things organized a little better here at home. I am typically a very organized person and I have LOTS of energy, but when things get really crazy, I hate the feeling of not being on top of things or not being able to find things in the house...(like my camera cord!). I want to simplify my life by getting rid of extra "stuff" that I don't need, but think I need. Have a wonderful weekend. Love & blessings from NC!

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  5. That was a cute little title! I like the 31 challenge idea. I just need to finish my earlier resolution of reading through the entire Bible before I start anything new!

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  6. Loved the kindness idea...everyone should do that...especially in their own home!!

    Amy

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  7. My first Scripture memorization is the verse about the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23.
    It says the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness & self control.
    The very day I chose to memorize that and had just had the sweetest time with God that morning, I had quite a day with things happening that made me want to react (not in a good way) and then I was reminded that as a verse following says "Since we live in the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit."
    My resolution is to get up a little earlier each morning and before I do anything else (well, coffee is included in this first step) have my quiet time with God & have my devotion time. Then.....it is treadmill time. I am starting out walking a mile a day and will keep bumping it up.
    I love what you had to say about kindness. People need to see kindness in our eyes, in our words and expressions. There are so many hurting & unhappy people out there. I want to show kindness to this hurting world.
    Love ya!
    Valerie

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  8. Our goals sound very similar, but I've made no resolutions. I'm not sure why. I haven't stopped long enough to ponder it and make some clear choices. Showing kindness is an excellent thing for all of us to choose and so that's a great starting place for me.

    I plan on checking out the Proverbs 31 challenge. Thanks for mentioning it. I love the way we can encourage one another through blogging.

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  9. I don't always do resolutions per se, but I do like the idea of a new beginning. I usually pick a word to focus on for a new year and kindness is a good one that I did a few years ago. This year my word is "extraordinary".

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  10. Enjoyed catching up on your blog. Hope 2010 is a wonderful year for you and your family.

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