Ahh, 2010. Hard to say goodbye. It was a fabulous year. However, we had a great time ringing the new year with the bestest friends we could ask for. I have BIG aspirations for 2011.
Tory and I contemplated making new year's resolutions. We never seem to stay true to them... mostly because by the end of January we've already forgotten about them. In the end we decided to give them one more try. This year we tried to set three basic, attainable goals that we could hold each other accountable for. Together we set one financial goal and one spiritual goal. Then, we each separately set a goal for ourselves.
Setting goals is easy for me since I'm addicted to the feeling I get when I finally accomplish them, but this year I decided to try something new. Instead of creating a resolution that has a finish line or an end date, I am choosing to set a goal that will be a work in progress (forever). My hope is that in time I will see and feel changes in myself, which will help me positively influence others. My goal in 2011 is to begin to see myself the way God sees me and, in turn, love myself the way God loves me.
I am always self-reflective, but even more so at the beginning of a new year. This year I reflected a lot on the madness that is my life. Work, work meetings, school, church, church meetings, family, travel, and a busy social calender. Some weeks I feel that it'll never end. I am guilty of placing my value in the things that the world views as important, instead of the things that God views as important. I understand that the "stuff" that makes up my life is not a reflection of what I am worth in God's eyes, because he loves me for who I am (after all "I am fearfully and wonderfully made" Psalm: 139:14). So, this year, I hope to fill my life with the things that challenge me and bring me joy... but not as a measure of the kind of person I am. You can remind me of this, because as I said, seeing myself the way God sees me is going to be a lifelong journey.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. Against such things there is no law." (Gal. 5:22-23)
"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things." (Phil. 4:8)
Love, Lynette :)
