Resolutions Update

A few weeks ago, I jotted down ten resolutions that I had for 2009, knowing well that the chance of achieving all of them the way I had envisioned was very slim...and being OK with that. Despite my goals and ambitions for this year, I have also felt very strongly that this is a year of grace for me--that all I manage to accomplish beyond basic survival is just icing on the cake. :) So I think I have a healthy balance about all of this.

It is interesting already to read back over my resolutions and make a progress report for myself. There are two specific resolutions that I feel particularly pleased with, as I evaluate my growth in those areas.

The first is Resolution #1--to nurture the Spirit. I have found the time I take each day to do this to be an absolutely joyful experience during the past few weeks, and that's not something I can always say. I think one of the things that has contributed to how well this area is going is that I've been reading some devotional materials that are truly inspiring for me. In general, when I study the Bible, I really like to get out my Bible (or two), some highlighters, some study materials, etc...and because I like to study this way, I sometimes feel a tinge of guilt if I include anything less in my quiet times. However, I've let myself relax in this area and realize the worth that comes from a book such as Meeting God in Holy Places--filled with references to the Biblical text as well as actual locations in the Holy Land which have meant so much to me during my adult pilgrimage with God. Just because I'm not using enough materials to give myself a backache if I carry them too long or take up the whole kitchen table when I spread them out doesn't mean I'm not genuinely meeting God, learning from Him, and growing in my love relationship with Him. After all, Jesus is the Word, and He continues to speak in our present time and circumstances, long after the Bible was "closed." I'm not in any way trying to disrespect the Biblical text or imply that all I need to grow in my relationship with God is the latest Christian fiction book--far from it!--but it has been refreshing to realize that at this stage of life, a daily connection with God through a devotional book is truly life-giving.

Since I finished the Meeting God... book, I'm diving into two other devotionals that were given to me for Christmas. One is Quiet Moments for a Woman's Heart which one of my young friends, Joy Showalter, surprised me with for Christmas (and it was a complete shock!). The other is The One Year Christian History which I had put on the Christmas wish list that I submitted to Jeff (at his request since he finds it much easier to shop for me when he knows what I want!); he did get it for me, but to tell the truth, he forgot to give it to me until a few weeks after Christmas. :) Regardless, it was a nice surprise when he did remember to give it to me! I'm enjoying both of them and finding that they provide a good balance of inspiration and challenge.

On a less lofty note... Resolution #9 is also going well. In fact, earlier this week, I spent several hours in the store by myself late at night going through the aisles and constructing my grocery list. All I need to do now is input the data into an Excel doc, and then I'll be able to check that resolution off the list! I'm finding that it's a very good idea to put an easy, not-very-time-consuming item on the resolution list so that the feeling of accomplishment can be quickly attained. :)

Resolution #7, however, is no better now than it was on January 1; in fact, it's probably worse. That old paper monster drives me NUTS. Oh, well, I've got to leave something on my list to accomplish in February! ;)