Do You Feel Invisible Sometimes?

A friend sent this video to me recently.  I thought it was a wonderful reminder of why we do what we do, even when no one seems to notice or care.  Hope you enjoy and are encouraged!

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Happy New Year–It’s Time for a New Beginning

As much as I love things of the past like traditions, memories, and my Christian heritage–I love new beginnings.  There is nothing like a new purse and wallet to organize; a new journal to write current thoughts and prayers; a new friendship to explore common interests and share a cup of coffee; and I especially love a new calendar with a clean slate of dates and goals for the year.  “New Year’s Resolutions” have gotten a bad rap over the years because most people lack discipline to fulfill those resolutions.  However, it doesn’t stop most of us from repeatedly setting new goals each year.   Traditionally, the following have been in the list of the top 10 New Year’s Resolutions: weight loss/healthy living, get out of debt/save money, get organized, enjoy life more/reduce stress, and spend more time with friends and family.  These are all such worthy goals.

Are New Year’s Resolutions a waste of time if we don’t succeed in keeping them?  I don’t think so.  It is always good idea to reflect on the past year and to reevaluate our priorities.  This helps us move forward to the new year.   Ultimately, our goals usually center around wanting to be a better person and be better managers of our time, finances, and talent.  As Christians, our focus should be glorifying God in all that we do…pointing others to Christ.  Do others see God’s grace in our lives?  Do they see us treasuring Christ? Do they see us giving our best to God and His work?  When we do succeed, do others see us pointing our success to Christ or do we take the credit?  When we fail, do others see us looking to Christ for direction or do they see us searching for someone or something to blame?

In closing, go ahead and list those new resolutions, goals, and priorities (even if it is the same list as previous years).  Here are a few suggestions that may help you stick to them: 1) Carefully consider them–pray about them, 2) Write them down, 3) Set short and long range goals, 4) Have a way to track progress–have some type of accountability, 5) Truly commit yourself to change but don’t expect perfection 6) Prepare for obstacles and know how you will handle problems that arise, and 7) Remember to keep Christ at the center of all we do and give Him the glory for all that is accomplished!

Happy 2009!!  It’s time for a new beginning…

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