Bye-Bye '09

Wow! Is it possible that I haven't written on this blog for two months? Is it possible that this year will come to an end in less than 1.5 hours? Is it possible that I'm the mother of four fabulous kiddos? Is it possible that God has allowed me a second chance at love for a life-time? Is it possible that my baby, my son, is half way through kindergarten? Yes! They are all possible and on my mind tonight.

I know lots of people talk about New Year's resolutions. Most try to manage their eating habits and lose weight. My boss tries to eat 4000 calories a day so that he can gain weight, as he (tragically) only weighs 171 pounds. No matter how much he eats, he always wakes up and weighs the same, a measely 171 pounds. Oh, to have that problem! But no, that isn't a problem for me.

Others try to read more, educate themselves more, return to school, etc. Some spend all of their Christmas money on self-help books that will further depress them and then they end up selling the books next summer in their first garbage sale of the season. Did I say garbage sale? Yeah, that's what I said. Remember, one person's trash is another person's treasure. So garbage is right. Thanks, but no thanks. I'll do without the books this time.

People who suffer from addictive habits like smoking often vow to quit their nasty fire-breathing habit. However, their bodies don't want to quit, and then the problem becomes mind over matter. Sometimes the mind wins, and sometimes it just doesn't seem to matter. Thus, by February, the puffs perk up and the habit rages on. This one isn't a problem for me. I like to watch the fire in the fireplace, not up my nose and in my throat, thank you.

Do you have any idea how much money people spend on memberships to gyms and other such places like the YMCA at the end of each year and the very beginning of the next? I can't say that I've done that before, but I have come close. I could never justify such an expenditure, but once when I lived in an apartment complex I decided to make use of the clubhouse gym on the second day of the new year. While there an older guy came in, took one look at me and said, "So, this is your New Year's resolution? Will I see you in here again?" Well, if for no other reason, I never went back, much less wanted to!

So, you are wondering what my New Year's resolutions will be for this year. Here they are: A couple of years ago I vowed not to make resolutions unless I specifically felt led by the Lord to do so. I'm not a fad person. I don't buy crocks just because they are "in." I don't buy those fuzzy suede boots just because they look good on everyone else. In fact, I probably wouldn't buy them just because everyone else has them! If I were to make a resolution for 2010, it would vanish before the end of January. In and of myself, I cannot resolve to do a cotton-pickin' thing if it is not of the Lord and He is not in it.

I can hope to treat my family better, spend more time with my children, prioritize my commitments to only those things truly worthy, try to lose 15 pounds, work out every day, eat more veggies and less chocolate, participate in more charities, work more hours, and even spend more time reading. However, not one of those things in and of itself will make me a better person. The only thing that makes me better is growing my relationship with Jesus Christ. And as far as I know, there is only one way to accomplish that goal: Hang out with Him. That is done by studying His word. The more I hang out with Him, the deeper our relationship grows. The more I speak to Him, the more He speaks back to me. The more secrets I share with Him, the more He sweeps in to gently confide in me the mysteries of His love. The more I seek Him, the easier it is to find Him.

So, as I say goodbye to 2009, I can look back and see events that brought laughter and some that brought tears. I have continued to heal physically and emotionally. I have seen God's fingerprints all over this year. He has never wavered in His faithfulness to me and my family. And, I resolve to do all that I can to invest in the best relationship possible to make 2010 a wonderful year. Why don't you hang out with Him in 2010? He will change your life!