"Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done." Psalm 105:1
When I sat down to set goals for 2015 that's what continually came back to me: bring meaning to it all. It didn't take long for that to be the driving force behind every goal I set.
For example:
My goal to eat better: food is meant to come from the earth, not a factory. And farmers are important. If I don't contribute to their livelihood then I shouldn't be shocked when big business takes over and (likely) ruins all of my food options with chemicals. So instead of setting out to lose weight, we will join a CSA (probably this one). We will do our best to purchase our produce from the local Farmers Market, and I won't feel bad if we have a month when money's tight and we need to buy the $20 frozen bag of chicken at Costco. Because that's life. This also means we will follow the 80/20 rule. Eighty percent, good and whole food. Twenty percent, yummy crap.
My goal to exercise: God created our bodies to move, not be sedentary. So I'll do my best to workout a few times a week, but just as fervently I'll walk my kids to the park or up the street to a friend's backyard, and we will play. No matter the year, this will always be a goal, because my health is important and I think it's valuable for my kids to see me striving towards an active lifestyle.
My goal to have a better marriage: we will simply keep trying, because this is the most important relationship I have next to Jesus. And we will try within the season of life we are in. That means date nights will be difficult. We rarely get away now, and it will only become harder as we move from our 5 minute drive to both Nanas. So instead of saying date night every week, we will say once a week we will connect. If that means wine after the kids go to bed, with no tv and phones, awesome.
My goal to make dinner more of a family event: this comes from a place of wanting my family to feel safe and connected, as well as teach them that food is something to be enjoyed. This desire doesn't become a reality on it's own. It takes work to know my kids and make them feel known. It also takes work to make dinner happen with the kids present. So I'll do my best to include them in the cooking (this is hard for me, b/c I don't like messes), and we will ask each other questions as we eat. Dinner won't be rushed and we'll likely serve dessert when it's over. Will this happen every night? Absolutely not. But if I can make it happen 3 nights a week, well that'll feel good. I also want dinnertime to be fun, as opposed to a forced routine that leaves everyone annoyed they can't enjoy their food in front of the tv (shameful truth: I love to eat in front of the tv). I have no idea how we'll do this, but I'm going to pray for wisdom and ask my momma friends what they do.
My goal to be generous with our time and resources: I tell my kids often that they'll be happier if they share their toys rather than keep everything to themselves, because that's what God wants for our hearts, to be givers. It's time to focus on showing them what that looks like. Especially now that we'll have a house (or will very soon). I also want them to see that giving within their means is just as important as actually giving. It doesn't do anything but add stress if you are generous with money you don't have (this was and continues to be my struggle; my heart is bigger than my wallet). It also isn't good to overcommit your time (another big struggle of mine). Because of my personal struggles, this has to be an area I work on so I don't condition my kids to a behavior that doesn't serve them or the people around them well.
I have lived with most of these convictions (goals) for a number of years. For a variety of reasons, (exhaustion, being overwhelmed) I haven't executed them or at best, didn't execute them well. 2014 reminded me that each year holds it's own hardships and that God is strong enough to meet me in my trying. And that's the only way real, lasting, results are produced anyway, through him.
So we are diving in with all we have, setting out to give 2015 our best shot!
"God’s will is not a problem to be solved.
God’s Word tells me His faithfulness does not depend on my wisdom. (Lamentations 3:22-24)
God’s Word tells me His grace does not depend on my performance. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
God’s Word tells me that whatever shape my life takes, His steadfastness and goodness trump whatever is going on around me. (Psalm 136)
And if all that is true? It changes how I view every single circumstance in my life.
Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. Give thanks in all circumstances.THIS is God’s will for us in Christ Jesus.(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)"
She Reads Truth
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