Welcome! Today I've got a devotion running on Proverbs 31 Ministries Encouragement for Today. It might be a bit controversial, because it seems to contradict traditional thought about resolutions. Actually, it challenges the idea of announcing any goals.
I should clarify, since I'm sure some of you are saying, "Huh???" My point is that some of us, (those who struggle with pride) need to make sure our motives are right before announcing New Year's Resolutions. With impure motives, we could sabotage ourselves. Do you have a history of not finishing what you start? If so, perhaps there's something here for you.
God keeps calling me back to a place of quiet determination. A place where it's just me and Him. A place where I'm honest before Him about my strengths and weaknesses, and acknowledge His power in my life more than my own. It's where I place my pride on the altar, and submit my plans in humility.
I'm not always a lone ranger. I do need accountability with other believers. I'm involved in a small group where share honestly. But when it comes to future plans, it's wiser for me to keep most things to myself.
Not everyone struggles with this. But I'm a do-er. My history is littered with times I've taken the lead; when my confidence was misplaced. I get a lot done, but God repeatedly has shown me He cares more about my heart than my accomplishments.
The message I got from 1 Kings 20:11 was to check my heart. It really didn't have anything to do about making resolutions or announcing them. So I'm digging in deeper this year. I'm narrowing my focus ... my blinders are on. God gave me some big assignments last year. He entrusted some responsibilities to me that need my attention to bring about fruit.
I also promised to provide the video to that talk, so here it is.
What do you think about this idea? Has announcing goals ever helped or hurt you? Is there a way to do this wisely?
Please leave a comment and I'll select someone at random to win a gift package from my online store, Rose Lane Cottage. I'll announce the winner on Friday.
In His Love,
Glynnis
Showing posts with label New Year's Resolution. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New Year's Resolution. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
I meant to announce the winner of the beautiful note pad last Friday, but I had too much fun playing with my family that day and completely forgot!
So, I'm a bit late and ask your forgiveness for making a promise I didn't keep.
With delight, I have randomly selected "Faithgirl" as the winner. I sent her a personal e-mail, but if that didn't go through and you are reading, please email me personally at editor@Proverbs31.org.
My children went back to school today, and I breathed a sigh of relief. I used to feel guilty for feeling that way, but no more. Being a work-at-home mom, I do quite a bit of maneuvering when the family is home. I'm happy to do so, but it's also nice getting back to a routine. And getting ready for the New Year.
One thing I'm not doing is making New Year's Resolutions. And if you check back on Wednesday, you'll see that even if I did, I wouldn't announce them. Wednesday I've got a devotion running on Encouragement for Today titled "I'm Keeping my New Year's Resolutions to Myself!" It's kind of a controversial look at announcing resolutions.
New Year's Resolutions seem faddish to me. Annually faddish. One person makes them, then someone else decides it's a good idea and makes them for themselves. How many people really keep them, after all?
I am for setting goals, and wish I set them in more areas of my life. I'm solid at setting professional goals, which for me crosses into ministry goals, since they overlap. But I'm sporadic at best at setting spiritual, relational or personal goals. It's not that those areas aren't a priority, but I'm not purposefully moving forward in them. Plus, they have always been too easy to let slip when the pressure is on.
While not a resolution, I'm giving myself a challenge to consider setting goals in areas of my life that I haven't addressed.
On Wednesday, you'll see why I'll keep them to myself.
In His Love,
Glynnis
So, I'm a bit late and ask your forgiveness for making a promise I didn't keep.
With delight, I have randomly selected "Faithgirl" as the winner. I sent her a personal e-mail, but if that didn't go through and you are reading, please email me personally at editor@Proverbs31.org.
My children went back to school today, and I breathed a sigh of relief. I used to feel guilty for feeling that way, but no more. Being a work-at-home mom, I do quite a bit of maneuvering when the family is home. I'm happy to do so, but it's also nice getting back to a routine. And getting ready for the New Year.
One thing I'm not doing is making New Year's Resolutions. And if you check back on Wednesday, you'll see that even if I did, I wouldn't announce them. Wednesday I've got a devotion running on Encouragement for Today titled "I'm Keeping my New Year's Resolutions to Myself!" It's kind of a controversial look at announcing resolutions.
New Year's Resolutions seem faddish to me. Annually faddish. One person makes them, then someone else decides it's a good idea and makes them for themselves. How many people really keep them, after all?
I am for setting goals, and wish I set them in more areas of my life. I'm solid at setting professional goals, which for me crosses into ministry goals, since they overlap. But I'm sporadic at best at setting spiritual, relational or personal goals. It's not that those areas aren't a priority, but I'm not purposefully moving forward in them. Plus, they have always been too easy to let slip when the pressure is on.
While not a resolution, I'm giving myself a challenge to consider setting goals in areas of my life that I haven't addressed.
On Wednesday, you'll see why I'll keep them to myself.
In His Love,
Glynnis
Sunday, December 27, 2009
If you've found your way to my blog after hearing my interview on Moody Radio, I want to wish you a warm welcome. On the interview I talked about getting organized in the New Year. I think that's a goal that most women have either on the table, or not far below it.
The only people I know who are happy not being organized are some teenage boys. I know, because I happen to live with a few who think I'm completely cracked up to want them to put their nice shorts in one drawer and athletic shorts in another. It's not like I'm asking them to alphabetize their books ... although that's not a bad idea ...
I've got a few areas of my life that desperately need some attention. One of them is my photos. I used to have some semblance of photo organization until we bought a digital camera. There was something orderly about only being able to take 24 or 36 photos, and then having them developed and put into their own envelope.
I'm completely embarrassed when I finally get my photos developed and there are 200 of them. In a box! It's just been too much for me.
But because my children love to see photos, and it helps them cement memories, it's one of the areas I'll be working on in 2010. Kind of a New Year's resolution, but not that formal.
However, I do need to come up with some kind of New Year's resolution, and I've got one week to do so. Not that I feel obligated to do so, but it's a good practice for me. And I write for a blog called At the Well, where they've asked me to post one for January. Nothing like external motivation to get me moving.
Here's one idea I'm considering. It's not a practical one. And it's not something I can measure. But I heard it this past week and I can't get it out of my head. Here it is:
"Wish for others what you wish for yourself."
I don't think that's exactly the quote, but it's what God spoke to me. It really gets to the heart of how I want to love others. If I were to truly live out that resolution, it would eliminate judgement, envy and jealousy from my heart. It would also address the pride that threatens to surface from time to time.
If I truly wished for others what I wish for myself, I would never hope for the haughty to stumble and suffer embarrassment. I would never wish for someone to miss an opportunity I wish I would have had. You get the picture - not pretty.
Instead, my heart would always think the best, want the best and hope for the best for others.
Honestly, it's scary to put that kind of New Year's resolution out there. Part of me wonders if I could live up to something like that. And yet another part of me thrills to the idea that I could actually be a little more like Jesus is 2010. I want that so much.
It would be easier to say I'm going to post three times a week on my blog, or start up a new blog that's been on my mind focusing on organization. Those are results-oriented resolutions, and that's a safer road for me.
And yet I know God would much rather my heart reflect His.
No one will know how I do on the resolution to wish for others what I wish for myself.
Except God.
The bottom line is, that's enough.
I guess I have my New Year's resolution after all.
Are you making one this year? If you are, please post it, or just leave me a comment. If you do, I'll randomly pick someone on Wednesday to win a Starbuck's Gift Card. Please make sure you leave a way for me to contact you.
In His Love,
Glynnis
The only people I know who are happy not being organized are some teenage boys. I know, because I happen to live with a few who think I'm completely cracked up to want them to put their nice shorts in one drawer and athletic shorts in another. It's not like I'm asking them to alphabetize their books ... although that's not a bad idea ...
I've got a few areas of my life that desperately need some attention. One of them is my photos. I used to have some semblance of photo organization until we bought a digital camera. There was something orderly about only being able to take 24 or 36 photos, and then having them developed and put into their own envelope.
I'm completely embarrassed when I finally get my photos developed and there are 200 of them. In a box! It's just been too much for me.
But because my children love to see photos, and it helps them cement memories, it's one of the areas I'll be working on in 2010. Kind of a New Year's resolution, but not that formal.
However, I do need to come up with some kind of New Year's resolution, and I've got one week to do so. Not that I feel obligated to do so, but it's a good practice for me. And I write for a blog called At the Well, where they've asked me to post one for January. Nothing like external motivation to get me moving.
Here's one idea I'm considering. It's not a practical one. And it's not something I can measure. But I heard it this past week and I can't get it out of my head. Here it is:
"Wish for others what you wish for yourself."
I don't think that's exactly the quote, but it's what God spoke to me. It really gets to the heart of how I want to love others. If I were to truly live out that resolution, it would eliminate judgement, envy and jealousy from my heart. It would also address the pride that threatens to surface from time to time.
If I truly wished for others what I wish for myself, I would never hope for the haughty to stumble and suffer embarrassment. I would never wish for someone to miss an opportunity I wish I would have had. You get the picture - not pretty.
Instead, my heart would always think the best, want the best and hope for the best for others.
Honestly, it's scary to put that kind of New Year's resolution out there. Part of me wonders if I could live up to something like that. And yet another part of me thrills to the idea that I could actually be a little more like Jesus is 2010. I want that so much.
It would be easier to say I'm going to post three times a week on my blog, or start up a new blog that's been on my mind focusing on organization. Those are results-oriented resolutions, and that's a safer road for me.
And yet I know God would much rather my heart reflect His.
No one will know how I do on the resolution to wish for others what I wish for myself.
Except God.
The bottom line is, that's enough.
I guess I have my New Year's resolution after all.
Are you making one this year? If you are, please post it, or just leave me a comment. If you do, I'll randomly pick someone on Wednesday to win a Starbuck's Gift Card. Please make sure you leave a way for me to contact you.
In His Love,
Glynnis
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