Happy New Year

Some people really get into new year resolutions...I'm one of those people.

I rarely stick to my New Year's resolutions, but I very much enjoy making them! I like the feeling of starting fresh and being organized. Plus, it's rather easy to look at my life and find a laundry list of things I could improve upon.

Reading my Bible more actively.
Memorizing scripture more diligently.
Doing housework more faithfully.
Spending money more frugally.
Blogging more consistently.
Reading more intelligently.
Practicing piano more frequently.
Scheduling my time more effectively.
Eating more healthily.
Exercising more vigorously.

The list could go on and on I tell you! It's not that I fail to do these things now, I just don't do them perfectly, and it bothers me. New Years always seems like a good time to start over. I relish the idea of beginning a brand new year with a brand new me, and of course, executing the my resolutions flawlessly.

But life doesn't work that way. No matter how many checklists I make or resolutions I pass, come January 1 I'll still be the same old not-so-perfect me. While I definitely could pick one or two things to work on in 2013, I won't magically have more will-power, more diligence, or more time.

So this year instead of making a new year's resolution (that I probably won't remember come Feb!), I'm going to renew the one commitment in my life that really matters.

The commitment to love and serve the Lord with all my heart, mind, strength; to devote myself to purity, compassion, and righteousness; and to fill my mind, my heart, and my home with truth and wisdom.

And to do so imperfectly.  Because it's in my imperfection that I experience the grace and mercy of our loving heavenly Father. In Him I'm already a new creation, sealed and kept by the presence of his Holy Spirit. I may not live perfectly, obey perfectly, or love perfectly, but praise the Lord that his strength is made perfect in my all too present weakness!

And let me tell you--It's his strength, his mercy and grace, and his loving compassion that will make this a great year. 

Ringing in the New Year
with my two favorite {little} people