Hello Fellow Hoosier Ink Followers. The past few years I urged you to set goals, (The Story of You , Goal Setting for Dream Getting Part 1, Part II) and gave pointers on how to make them achievable. After all, nobody wants to fail. Review and evaluation of old goals is important before establishing new.
In reviewing my goals I’ve become more aware of my priorities. There was even one goal that I did nothing about all year long. I recognize now that I set that goal because I thought I should, not because it was what I needed to do. This year, I’m letting that go. It was important at one point in my life, but not for who I am now. God is doing a new thing.
Don’t you just love God? He’s always up to something fresh and extraordinary:
* His mercies are new every morning! (Lamentations 3:22, 23)
* He is a very present help in time of need! (Psalm 46:1-3)
* He is faithful to complete the work he has begun. (Philippians 1:6)
* He instructs us. (Isaiah 28:26)
* He makes a way through difficulties, trials, and terrors. (Isaiah 43:16)
* He provides for us. (Psalm 65:9)
* He removes our sin when we ask him and reshapes those sinister places of need that compel us to repeat our errors. (Hosea 14:4)
* He heals us. (Exodus 15:26)
* He guides us. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
* He plans good things for us that will bring us joy and fulfillment. (Jeremiah 29:11)
* He never leaves us. (Hebrews 13:4-6)
* He sings over us. (Zephaniah 3:17)
* He loves us. (John 14:23)
* He stirs gifts up within us, including our creativity. (Romans 12:6)
This year, as you set writing and personal goals, make God your top priority. If you set no goals, still make God your top priority. Let praise be your first conscious thought. Let him permeate each moment and every decision. Let love toward him be your final good night. He deserves this place of honor for the Lord is your full portion. (Lamentations 3:24)
Thank you, God for 2012’s gains and losses, gifts and lessons. I let it go, because I can do nothing to change the past. I turn my eyes to 2013 and seek your plan and purpose. Help me embrace every moment as a God-moment. I ask the same for my writer brothers and sisters in Christ. Amen.
Happy New Year! May God live big in you!
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She's grateful for the words God has given her in 2012, for the warm welcome of Journey to Christmas, and anticipates new, bolder words in 2013.
Great first post of the new year!
ReplyDeleteExcellent post. Thanks, Mary.
ReplyDeleteIt called to mind what a friend of mine posted this morning: Jonathan Edwards' resolutions.
Resolution #1: I will live for God.
Resolution #2: If no one else does, I still will.
Jeff
Resolution #1: Write more often
ReplyDeleteResolution #2: See Resolution #1
Great resolutions, Jeff and Darren.
ReplyDeleteI just realized I posted a day early. My apologies to Cara.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mary, especially for the thought, "Let praise be your first conscious thought." I love it when I wake up and God is on my mind, for it's certain that I am also on His.
ReplyDeleteThat is special, Rick. I love it too to think that part of my being is constantly praising him, even while I sleep.
DeleteWonderfully inspiring! Praise God! and thank you, Mary! :-)
ReplyDeletePS -- I've just read three blogs, and they all had blogger/author photos and bio-bits at the end. I REALLY like this trend, and hope we all do it! I resolve to continue this trend in 2013. . . :-)
ReplyDelete