For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.
This verse was on my Bible app this morning, and I thought it was a nice pick for the first day of the new year. As we look back on 2015, many people (including us) remember good times along with many challenges. This verse reminds us that God is always working, always providing. He might not work when, how or where you want Him too, but He is always at work. Faith is not about everything turning out okay. Faith is about being okay no matter how things work out. Nice dose of reality, for sure.
Over the holiday season we had a nice little surprise. The day after Christmas Betty had a lamb. We were surprised that she only had one, but he's pretty cute. He will be just the right size and age for the surrounding county fairs this summer (hint, hint 4-hers....). We have two more ewes that are expecting this year.
The end of a calendar year is also a great time to evaluate how you did on the previous year's goals, and set new ones for the upcoming year. Let it be said, however, that God offers a new start every day that you wake up here on earth. If you have not made your goals yet, there is still time. Any day can be the first day. Last year I didn't make many personal goals. One major goal was to run 500 miles in '15. I'm grateful to report that I stayed healthy enough to log 573.53!
I have been much more intentional about goal planning this year. It is suggested, for success, that goals be measurable, specific, and written down. Over the past month I have thought about some areas that I want to focus on in terms of personal development. One thing I did differently this year is write them down-with spots to fill in the accomplishment and milestones along the way. I hung the goal sheet right behind my computer, where I can see it everyday.
I am working on educational goals, financial goals, fitness goals, family goals...I tried to cover all the areas. While my spiritual goals are not on this sheet, I have made it a habit to read a proverb and a psalm per day, and work on an additional book of the Bible. Spiritual growth is hard to measure. One doesn't really know what God is planning on teaching you, or how He plans to improve upon his creation.
This morning I kicked off 2016 with a 5k! Today I ran the Resolution 5k, hosted by Our Saviour Lutheran. While it was very slippery, windy, and cold, I managed a 25:37. The time isn't anything close to a PR, but I was pleased to just be able to finish without falling!
As you write down your goals for this year, remember this one thing:
Go Get 'Em!
Wishing you the best for 2016...your best effort, your best foot forward, your best work. Your "best" may not be another's "best"....but it's yours!
No comments:
Post a Comment